With the NHL trade deadline Friday at 3 p.m., Brendan Gallagher realizes there’s a chance he could lose some of his teammates in the coming days.
But with Montreal on a season-high four-game winning streak heading into Monday night’s return clash against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre, the current longest-serving Canadiens player hopes management has taken stock of the scenario, with the team again in the playoff mix and might ultimately decide not to break up the band.
“That’s the point you’re trying to make here,” Gallagher said following last Friday’s practice. “You want to make it as difficult as possible and put (management) in a position where they see what we see. You kind of have to force our hand. We were there. We went through a losing skid. We fell off. And now we’re trying to push our way back up.
“We’re aware of the standings,” added Gallagher, who has spent his entire 13-season NHL career with Montreal. “It’s really not far. We have some games against these teams coming up. You just have to take care of your business. These next two, three games especially are important for that.”
The Canadiens went 16-6-1 from Dec. 3 until Jan. 21 to move into a wild-card position in the Eastern Conference, tantalizing their long-suffering fans in the process. But Montreal then faltered badly, producing only one victory and an overtime loss in its next nine — a reality check that this team wasn’t as close as people had hoped.
However, the Canadiens emerged from the two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off rejuvenated, defeating Ottawa, Carolina, San Jose and Buffalo. While the Hurricanes are the only club among those four in a playoff position, an NHL team must take its victories where they come and has no control over the schedule.
The Canadiens entered Monday three points behind Detroit and the final wild-card berth, but also knowing three other teams — Ottawa, the New York Rangers and Boston — stand in their way. The Senators are at Washington Monday night while the Rangers entertain the New York Islanders.
“I think we’re right there,” Gallagher said. “We believe that we are. It’s one of those things where we’re (three) points out. You have a good week and you find yourself right there again. Consistency is huge. That’s what you’re fighting for, and every point matters.”
The Canadiens have a number of potential unrestricted free agents — including forwards Jake Evans, Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak, along with defenceman David Savard — making it unlikely general manager Kent Hughes would risk losing some, or all, without a serviceable return. But Hughes also reportedly has told GMs he’s unlikely to deal Evans and Armia simply for draft picks.
The Canadiens’ media relations department didn’t make Evans available after Monday morning’s skate. And the game against Buffalo could be his last at home. Montreal begins a four-game road trip Thursday in Edmonton. At that point, the Canadiens will have 21 games remaining, including 12 on the road.
Defenceman Jayden Struble also hopes management will avoid pulling the trigger on a trade.
“We have a great thing going right now,” he said. “Everybody in here loves each other and we’re having a great time together. We’re winning games and playing good hockey. The guys have bought into what (head coach Martin St. Louis) is saying, and it shows. We’re sticking to the game plan and it has been working out.”
Meanwhile, while winger Josh Anderson — as has become his custom recently — didn’t participate in the morning skate, he’s always front and centre once the games begin. Anderson, who is battling numerous injuries, scored the Canadiens’ tying goal Saturday night at Buffalo, giving him 10 goals and 20 points in 60 games. Incredibly, Anderson hasn’t missed a game this season.
“He’s a warrior and a pro,” Gallagher said. “He does what he needs to do to get himself ready to play. You’re never going to be at 100 per cent in this league. You’ve got to find ways to be effective. The way he’s able to put some stuff aside, get himself ready to play and be as effective as he is, it speaks a lot about his character.
“He’s an awesome role model for everyone to look at. That’s what it takes to play in this league a long time. You have to put your body on the line for your team. That matters and it’s what you want in a teammate. He’s as tough as anyone you’re going to see.”