Montreal Canadiens F Brendan Gallagher game-time decision vs. Edmonton Oilers
Montreal Canadiens F Brendan Gallagher will be a game-time decision Thursday night as the team takes on the visiting Edmonton Oilers.
Gallagher, who suffered a concussion during a 3-1 loss on New Year’s Eve, took part in Thursday’s morning skate and is awaiting clearance from the team’s medical staff.
Despite that, Canadiens head coach Claude Julien told reported he would be surprised if he didn’t get the needed clearance.
“It’s looking good. I’d be surprised if he didn’t get it. But officially he hasn’t gotten the green light yet and that’s why probably he left that door open there a little bit.” — Montreal Gazette
Gallagher has been having one of his most productive seasons in the NHL having scored 32 points in 40 games prior to being injured, 28 of which have come at even-strength. A slight bump in ice-time this season — 56 seconds higher than his career average of 16:01 — has seen Gallagher seize the opportunity.
His underlying even-strength numbers have been tremendous this year as he’s scored at the best clip of his career posting 2.86 points per hour.
Whether or not he plays tonight, the good news for the Habs is that it appears one of their top scorers won’t be out of the lineup much longer.
On Twitter: @zjlaing