Canadiens’ Alex Galchenyuk: Three helpers help carry Habs

“I like the way that line played tonight”. It must be noted that Alexander Semin is starting to find his groove (he had two assist on the night), and made an unselfish play in passing the puck to Eller when he could’ve fired a rocket high on Tuuka Rask in the slot.

“Everybody’s got hopes and dreams when they come into a season, thinking they can score 50”, Maurice said with a smile after the Jets beat Boston 6-2 on Thursday night. “We just go out there and try to have fun and try to help the team win”. Plekanec would score an empty net goal with 53 seconds left in the game.

“He’s been a great warrior for us over the years and he’s a real pro”, Therrien said. The Canadiens quickly quieted the crowd 1:07 later when Eller scored on another one-timer to put Montreal up 3-0.

Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask made 34 saves in his second straight loss (eight goals against).

Boston coach Claude Julien challenged, but the call stood after a video review and disgruntled Bruins fans let loose with a loud chorus of boos. The Bruins clearly missed their supersized defenceman. “We’ve got to tighten up defensively, but I think the chemistry is pretty good”. “(Krejci) made a nice pass and I got a lucky bounce off a skate.

Left winger Matt Beleskey scored the Bruins’ first goal.

Where Miller’s promise flashed brightest was on offense, as he wasted no time showcasing the skill that saw him earn 69 points (24 goals, 45 assists) in 135 games with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs.

The Bruins left the game battered and bruised.

After a few uneventful shifts to start the game, Miller found himself retrieving the puck behind the Bruins net with Montreal forward Dale Weise bearing down on him in the first period.

Boston center Ryan Spooner was tossed from the game for a third-period boarding penalty. He issued his first hit, braced for several others, and even took his first penalty late in the game – a cross-checking penalty he noted may have come out of panic. The Canadiens did nothing with the 65-second two-man advantage and the Bruins then killed the rest of Marchand’s penalty.

Boston played again without captain Zdeno Chara, who sat with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Both teams played tightly, but the 1st period ended with the Habs still holding the lead as well as leading 10-8 in shots. This was the 730th game between the rivals, moving them past the 729 played by the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings….

Looking ahead: The Canadiens will be in Ottawa on Sunday (7 p.m., Sportsnet, TVA Sports, TSN Radio-690) and they will conclude their four-game, season-opening road trip Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Another first for the B’€™s Saturday: Colin Miller made his National Hockey League debut by playing in place of the scratched Zach Trotman. Still, in 16:13 of ice time Saturday, Miller showed signs of his potential as a two-way defender.