Former Canadiens Player Registers First Point With New Team

For the first time in 15 years, the Montreal Canadiens started their season without Brendan Gallagher. The organization and player parted ways earlier in the offseason when the winger requested a trade after realizing he was no longer part of the Canadiens’ plans. Kent Hughes sent the winger where he wanted: back home with the Vancouver Canucks.

So far, the diminutive winger has played in six of the Canucks’ seven games; he was a healthy scratch when Vancouver took on Stanley Cup Champions Carolina on Thursday, October 8, a game the Canucks lost 7-2. The veteran returned to the lineup on Saturday, when the Canucks lost 4-1 to the New Jersey Devils, and was kept off the scoresheet.

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However, on Sunday, in the second game of a back-to-back, Gallagher was dressed to take on the New York Rangers, and while the Canucks lost again, the veteran recorded his first point in his new uniform. On the penalty kill, the winger carried the puck in for a zone entry, fed it to Elias Pettersson, who took his time, found his spot, and beat rookie goalie Dylan Garland.

Gallagher spent 13 minutes on the ice, with four shot attempts, one that made it to the net, three hits, and two giveaways across 16 shifts. The Canucks are off to a tough start, with a 2-5-0 record and four points to their name. They are sixth in the Pacific Division, 27th in the league and have lost their last four games. This is hardly surprising for a rebuilding side, but it must be a tough change of pace for Gallagher, who got used to better results with the Habs. Although Martin St-Louis’ men are struggling as well, as things stand. They have a 2-2-1 record and just five points.

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