Call of the Wilde: Montreal Canadiens edge the Arizona Coyotes

It was the final game night for the NHL before the All-Star break.

The Montreal Canadiens finished with a contest against the Arizona Coyotes and the return of Alex Galchenyuk to the Bell Centre, taking the game 2-1. And with the Habs getting the right results, Montreal could head into the break in second place in the Atlantic Division.

READ MORE: Alex Galchenyuk primed for Montreal return as a member of the Coyotes

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• The Habs’ first attempt with the extra man in the first period was their best power play of the entire season. They had enormous pressure coming in waves that finally resulted in the tally by Jonathan Drouin. It was interesting to note that the day before, at practice, head coach Claude Julien took over the coaching of the power play, working on zone entries and then possession in the zone. Not to suggest that the power play has turned a corner just on one two-minute chance, but it was sure refreshing to see the talent the Habs have looking organized. The manpower was also worth noting, as Jesperi Kotkaniemi was put on the first unit of the power play. That’s simply amazing, as this is an 18-year-old rookie and he’s on the power play of the Habs — and he deserves the chance, too. If the Habs are to finally turn the power play around, the key is Kotkaniemi becoming a regular on the half wall, where he can show his outstanding vision, and Drouin running it either from the point or the other wall. Drouin was a sensation in Tampa Bay when Steven Stamkos went down with a season-long injury. He ran that Tampa power play; there is no reason he can’t find the same success in Montreal.

READ MORE: Call of the Wilde — Montreal Canadiens’ win streak cut short in loss to Philadelphia Flyers

• Joel Armia should not be on the power play. He has not scored a single power-play goal in his entire NHL career. However, he sure should be on the ice five-on-five and killing penalties. Armia was outstanding in this one. In fact, he continues to get more and more comfortable playing for the Habs as the season progresses. It was a rough start, and the choice to use him with the extra man put a bullseye on his chest. In the second period, he was killing a penalty so brilliantly that he was the architect of two offensive chances. In the third period, it was his forecheck that forced the turnover, which led to the Habs 2-1 goal. This was likely Armia’s best game playing for Montreal. This didn’t appear to be an exciting deal early in the season, but it’s looking better recently, as Armia has played a more complete game now for a while.

WATCH: Montreal Canadiens’ road trip stalls with 4-1 loss to St. Louis

3:55 Call of the Wilde: Montreal Canadiens’ road trip stalls with 4-1 loss to St. Louis

• Victor Mete played more outstanding hockey for Montreal. Mete seems to join the rush at the perfect time and finds himself within 10 feet of the net with glorious chances for a defenceman. Sadly, his shot is not so powerful. However, he could rise above that problem from 10 feet if he would just shoot to the top half of the net. A goalie is almost always going to have time to get his big pad across the net, and even his torso most of the time. The goalie cannot get across to the top half of the net, though, so Mete only needs to shoot higher from that distance to finally get his first goal in the NHL. It’s coming — the chances are golden so it is definitely coming soon.

READ MORE: Call of the Wilde  — Montreal Canadiens dump the Columbus Blue Jackets

• The Habs’ difference-maker a lot of nights is the fact that they engage the D on offence as well as any team in the league. Mete, as described, has come out with 10-foot shots many times recently. During one shift in the third period, Brett Kulak was so engaged that he got a chance to receive a pass on a two-on-one from Brendan Gallagher, but it was broken up. A short time later, it was Jeff Petry going for long, wide circles all through the offensive zone perimeter, showing off that skating stride of his. No worries for any of the Habs blueliners, who are supposed to be stationary at the point. Petry eventually passed it to Mike Reilly, who wired it home for the 2-1 goal. Shea Weber is known for the big shot, but he has been in front of the opposition net as well. Jordie Benn has been wiring home his slap shot recently, too. All six of the Habs defencemen are contributing offensively. It’s a new NHL, and some veteran coaches like Julien are taking these modern ideas and excelling at making them a part of the Habs’ arsenal.
• More credit is due to the coaching staff late in the contest, when they had their eyes open for a slim possibility of an Arizona offside. The Coyotes’ Galchenyuk had scored late, and it appeared overtime was looming at 2-2, but the staff saw a moment about 25 seconds before in which they believed the Coyotes defender hadn’t kept the puck in at the blue line. They were right. That’s some quality work by the Habs coaches to catch that. The goal was reversed, and the Habs kept their 2-1 lead late.
• That concludes January hockey for the Habs. They are in third place in the Atlantic Division, only one point behind Toronto and two ahead of Boston. They’re in the thick of it with some very impressive hockey teams. Thank the new Carey Price for that, much like the old Price — he has a save percentage above 950 in his eight January games. You can’t win without goaltending. Price is back, and when he is on, you always have a chance.

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READ MORE: Call of the Wilde — Montreal Canadiens’ Niemi beats the Florida Panthers

• The Coyotes have a habit of staying in a lot of games, and this one was no different. They tied it in the second period at one on the power play. It was a strong power play for the entire two minutes almost, but the Habs were fending it off well enough until Artturi Lehkonen‘s stick broke, and he decided to get another one when the Coyotes had full possession. While he was going for that skate to the Habs bench, the Coyotes took advantage of the five-on-three to tie the contest. Lehkonen is one of the game’s most intelligent players, but this was one that didn’t make a lot of sense. Admittedly, you’re not much of a defender without a stick, but you can still get in the lane to disrupt. You can’t do anything at the player’s bench, except wince when the puck goes in on Price.

WATCH: Call of the Wilde — Winning streak continues

4:21 Call of the Wilde: Winning streak continues

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• The Edmonton Oilers finally fired general manager Peter Chiarelli on Tuesday night. They didn’t even wait for the end of the game against the Detroit Red Wings, as they released him during the second intermission so he could leave in peace. The best man for the GM job in Edmonton is Trevor Timmins, who has served his time like a good soldier in Montreal and now deserves a chance to helm a hockey team. Timmins is one of the best evaluators of talent in all of hockey, and this is exactly what the Oilers need. They have to finally say goodbye to the old guard, and that means all of them have to go — completely. The Oilers can’t be holding on to the legends, who will always have too much influence. They were amazing players, but they all are terrible as evaluators of talent. Timmins can turn that team around quickly. The Oilers can have a good draft year for a change with Timmins as GM, not just perhaps landing their annual top 10 pick. Habs fans don’t want to hear this, but they need to understand that it’s the right thing to wish him well. Timmins has left the Habs in a very good place with the last two draft years. It’s time for him to take on a new challenge. It’s time to let him come out of the shadows and into a spotlight to show the entire hockey world how talented he is. He’s been a Montreal secret long enough — time to let him shine in full view.