VIDEO: Canadiens' Plekanec gives game puck to Elise Beliveau

On Tuesday, the Montreal Canadiens celebrated the life of beloved former Canadiens captain Jean Beliveau, who passed away a week ago at the age of 83. The Canadiens then went out and defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-1.

Following the game, Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec gave the game puck to Jean's widow, Elise Beliveau, who was the center of attention all evening.

It was a pretty great gesture from Plekanec and the Canadiens:

LNH.com editor Arpon Basu rather gorgeously detailed the effect Elise had on those in attendance at Le Centre Bell on Tuesday night:

From afar, the fans in this city watched Elise Beliveau show her strength this week in greeting every single person who visited Bell Centre on Sunday and Monday as her husband lay in state. She shook hands and accepted condolences from a public that was almost as much a part of her family as her own daughter and grandchildren.

Finally, given the opportunity to do so in the same venue, but one now meant for such an outpouring of gratitude, the fans at Bell Centre stood and cheered.

And cheered some more.

For two minutes, the fans showed how they felt about Elise Beliveau, and she showed them right back, raising her hands to the sky on several occasions to show her appreciation, even though her grief had overtaken her on several occasions during the poignant ceremony prior to the game between the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks.

When she finally couldn't take it anymore, Elise Beliveau implored the crowd to stop.

And they did. Instantly.

Elise also provided the lasting image from Tuesday's pregame ceremony when she was overcome by emotion while watching the touching tribute to Le Gros Bill put together by the Canadiens: