Galchenyuk practices on Canadiens' top line
Alex Galchenyuk is moving up in the world.
The 21-year-old pivot was on the top line during Montreal Canadiens practice Tuesday, skating alongsideMax Pacioretty and Sven Andrighetto. And the promotion's been earned.
New lines at Habs prax:
Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Andrighetto
Eller-Plekanec-Byron
Fleischmann-Desharnais-Weise
Carr-Flynn-Thomas
— Fluto Shinzawa (@GlobeFluto) December 8, 2015
Galchenyuk has seven goals and 13 assists in 28 games, but five goals and seven helpers have come in his last 16 games. He's hot, with points in seven of his last eight games.
Galchenyuk is carrying the play. His 56.1 percent Corsi For rating trails only Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher among forwards who have played at least 20 games.
Since Nov. 1st, Alex Galchenyuk has a 60.2% Corsi, that's pretty good.
— Andrew Berkshire (@AndrewBerkshire) December 8, 2015
The Canadiens are home to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday and in Detroit to face the Red Wings on Thursday. Galchenyuk's audition won't be easy, in other words, but it's exciting to think about his prospects, especially with a finisher the likes of Pacioretty.
Therrien mentioned twice that Galchenyuk will now face tougher match ups, and he'll need to adjust. But this is a vote of confidence.
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) December 8, 2015
Galchenyuk has five assists in two games against Boston this season, and one assist in one game versus Detroit.