Montreal Canadiens fans have always held a special place in their hearts for Brendan Gallagher. He has been a never say quit player who earned his way into the NHL through hard work and dedication despite his size and other limitations that would have kept a less determined player from succeeding.
After four tough years that saw him average about 11 goals a year due to short seasons, injuries and other factors, Gally has seemingly come back to life posting five goals in his first 13 games. Based on his quick start, he could reach 25 goals this season but that may be somewhat optimistic. We should be happy if he can reach between 15 and 20 goals.
The question is, what is different about Gallagher’s play compared to the previous four seasons?
One thing jumps out in his stats line and that is is penalty totals. Gallagher only has one minor penalty this year and staying out of the box means he can stay on the ice. That doesn’t mean that he isn’t battling as hard. Rather it seems to indicate he has found that fine line that he knows not to cross. He still goes to the net but picks his spots.
What is also noticeable is that Gallagher frequently seems to be playing a little higher in the offensive zone. You can often find him stationed at the face-off hash marks or a little deeper in the slot. In the past, he always seemed to have one foot in the blue paint. The new positioning is well suited to his skill set where he can tip pucks or get a quick shot away from a premium scoring position. It also helps him to avoid dangerous situations where smaller players are more at risk.
The hard work is still there and he’s undoubtedly made other adjustments that have allowed him to succeed, not only on the goal scoring front but also in his overall play. Teamed with Josh Anderson and Jake Evans or Christian Dvorak, his line has been setting an example for the rest of the team
Gallagher should be credited for adapting his game to take advantage of his personal skill set and to fit the style of play that Marty St Louis wants to see from his players. As fans, we should applaud him for this and the example he continues to set for his teammates.
