HabsWorld.net -- 

Despite a discouraging January, our readers still managed to weigh in with
their opinions on the Canadiens.  There was a wide variety of
selections this month, likely due to the inconsistencies of the Canadiens as a whole. 
Nonetheless, the following players earned the most votes, and take home the HW 3
Stars honours as a result.  For the first time, the deciding factor ending
up being the 3rd star votes, as our top two vote-getters received an identical
amount of 1st and 2nd star votes.

 

 1st Star Max Pacioretty 13 GP – 6 G –
6 A – 12 P – Plus 2

Last month’s first star continued where he left off, topping the
Canadiens in almost every scoring category.  Pacioretty led the
Habs in goals, points, and shots on net (47) while tying for the lead
for assists, powerplay points (3) and game-winning goals (1). 
These totals, while impressive, must surely have paled in comparison to
Pacioretty being named to the American Olympic Team.
 

★

32%
★★

19%
★★★

10%		  

 

 2nd Star Carey Price 11 GP – 5
W – 5 L – 1 OTL –  3.37 GAA – 0.891 SV%

No stranger to this list, Price earned a HW Star status for the 4th
consecutive
month this season.  Although this was the worst statistical month for Carey, he consistently gave the
Habs a chance to win each game… or at least kept blowout losses from
hitting double digits.  Price was also named to the Canadian
Olympic team for the first time, where he should have a more protective
defensive unit playing in front of him.
 

★

32%
★★

19%
★★★

0%		  

 

 3rd Star Brendan Gallagher 13 GP – 4
G – 6 A – 10 P – Plus 1

It wasn’t from a lack of effort from the diminutive winger that the
Canadiens had a month to forget.  Despite his lack of size,
Gallagher could always be found in the middle of a physical
altercation… which he may or may not have initiated… and gave his
all every shift.  But in addition to receiving the most unpenalized
abuse in the NHL, Gallagher made his mark on the scoresheet in January,
tying for the team-lead in assists and powerplay points.
 

★

16%
★★

29%
★★★

19%		  

 

HM Tomas Plekanec 13 GP – 3
G – 4 A – 7 P – Minus 2

As troubling as the Canadiens’ play was in January, one wonders how much
worse it could have been without Tomas Plekanec’s underrated play. 
Burdened with the challenge of the toughest matchups, Plekanec still
managed to chip in offensively.  Plekanec’s defensive prowess is
earning him some media consideration for the Selke trophy, and his
penalty-killing and regular short-handed scoring opportunities only
support this idea.  Finally, Plekanec was named captain of the
Czech Republic Olympic team, which must serve as an unforgettable
honour.
 

★

16%
★★

3%
★★★

3%		  

 

Thanks to everyone that voted, and be sure to check in next month for
February’s HW 3 Star voting.