Monday, September 21, 2015

Canadiens' Galchenyuk, Eller, Semin showing great chemistry at training camp

chandail des canadiens
Two of the players are skating in new positions, a third brand new to the chandail des canadiens with plenty to prove to the club and to himself.
But after three days of training camp and a few scrimmages, how can you not be at least a little impressed with the line of Alex Galchenyuk between Lars Eller and Alexander Semin?
Galchenyuk, at centre, scored twice and added an assist Sunday in the Canadiens’ annual Red vs. White scrimmage at the Bell Centre, a 6-2 victory for the Whites.
Eller, at left wing, had a goal and three assists, his third coming in 3-on-3 action; Semin, the newcomer on the right side, assisted on both of Galchenyuk’s goals, the first on a lovely feed, the second coming off the rebound of his shot.
“We seem to fit in quite well there,” Galchenyuk would say post-game. “It’s only Day 3, but we feel good about ourselves.
“We know there’s a lot of work to be done and a lot of areas to improve, but we’re definitely happy with our start and we’re excited. We’re trying to make plays out there and it’s working for us.”
Eller has had an outstanding start to this camp, and it surely hasn’t hurt his focus knowing upon arrival that the Canadiens wanted him on the wing. That beats starting at centre and maybe or maybe not being shuffled on his line.

“Very fun,” is how Eller described things so far, speaking through a grin.
“I think it could be really good,” he added of the line. “I said it before Day 1 of camp: I’m excited to play with them. It’s still early, but we’re going to keep building and building. We have some good chemistry right now. All three are having fun out there and looking forward to playing real games.”
After three intra-squad scrimmages, that chance will come this week, the Canadiens scheduled to play four games in five nights beginning Tuesday at home vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs Jersey.
“I had a little time to prepare mentally that it was going to be that way,” Eller said after Sunday’s strong effort. “It didn’t hurt.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if I play a bit of centre somewhere along the line during the season,” he added, only when asked whether he missed playing pivot. “There’s going to be injuries. Always, unexpected things happen. I just see it as a strength, being able to play both.”
Galchenyuk, meanwhile, is a promising work in progress at centre, something he freely admits.
“I’m still adjusting, working on new things, trying to get a feel of it,” he said. “I think it’s really nice that you get to start with it from Day 1, not playing from wing to centre. It’s helping me a lot. I can focus on my game and on what I can do as a centreman, and I’m learning every day.”
Head coach Michel Therrien, who in the past has shown he can shuffle quicker than a Las Vegas blackjack dealer, likes what he sees of the trio in this early going.
“We want to give them the opportunity to build chemistry and we’ll definitely try those guys together in exhibition games,” Therrien said. “I like what I see so far and that’s a good thing. They’re capable of making plays.
“But we also understand it’s only scrimmages. It’s going to be another level this week with exhibition games. In two weeks when we start the season, it’s going to be totally different. But right now, I like what I see and that’s the most important thing for those guys. It looks like the chemistry and the confidence is there.”
Team Red got out to a 2-0 lead, but the Whites took over near the end of the first period and steamed away over the next two 15-minute periods that were played for a good if unannounced crowd that paid $5 per ticket.
Gate proceeds will go to Canadian Tire’s Bleu Blanc Bouge in Action program, founded by the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation and supported by the retailer’s Jumpstart Charities to encourage an active, healthy lifestyle among underprivileged youth.
Daniel Carr and Tomas Fleischman opened the scoring in the penalty-free contest before Galchenyuk, Sven Andrighetto, Galcheyuk again, Eller, Christian Thomas and Dale Weise put it away.
Carey Price stopped 15 of 16 shots coming his way in the Red net, Zach Fucale (with little defence help) surrendering five goals on the 20 shots he faced. Dustin Tokarski allowed two goals on his 14 shots in the White cage, Michael Condon stopping all eight he saw in the game’s second half.
The game featured seven minutes of 3-on-3 hockey to end the afternoon, a crazy, freewheeling taste of what NHL overtime will look like this season. Weise was the only one to score on his late breakaway. carey price Jersey
Camp resumes Monday morning at 11 a.m. with practice at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard.

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