Racicot Continues Torrid Pace
The goals continue to come for the Montreal Canadiens during this past week. Over the previous 4 games, the Habs have netted 19 times. 24 year old Jonathan Racicot, the 16th overall pick in the 2031 Draft, leads the team with 15 goals (And 15 assists) through 20 games. Sharing a line with Tanner Bruinsma and new arrival David MacLean, Racicot has raced to upper echelon of goal scorers during the first quarter of the season. Previously known for his physical play in the dirty areas of the offensive known, this new wrinkle to Racicot's game has Habs fans optimistic for the future.
Normally known for his defense, the shift of Blueline Talisman Matvei Ivanov to the Right Wing is finally bearing fruit. Though the club captain and future first ballot Hall of Famer spend the bulk of his first decade in the league as a defensemen, his stats as a forward speak for themselves. 6 Assists in the past week is only the latest data point in a trend that will hopefully lead the Habs to a playoff spot in a highly competitive Atlantic Division.
Habs Defeat Defending Champion Flames in Shoot-Out Thriller
The Montreal Canadiens, currently engaged in a battle for Atlantic Division Supremacy alongside their old enemy, Toronto, hosted another Canadian opponent at the Bell Center Wednesday Night, defeating the defending Cup Champion Calgary Flames by a score of 4 goals to 3, following a shoot-out.
Habs stalwart Viktor Nilsson achieved 1st-Star honors for his goal and assist. His helper for line-mate Anthony Fowke leveled the score at 2-2 in the second period, and his goal, late in the third, levelled the scores again at 3. Nilsson's points are his 15th and 16th on the season, and the now-veteran center appears to have found his groove in the still-young season.
Living Habs legend Aatu Raty also made the shortlist, coming in as the game's third star. His two assists on Payer and Nilsson's goal underline the surefire hall of famer's new role as a helper in the current Montreal lineup. Known more for scoring throughout his illustrious career, Raty has spent the first month of this campaign helping his teammates to light the lamp. He now has 12 assists in 16 games.