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.