HabsWorld.net -- 

Similar to October’s voting, there wasn’t a lot of
variance when our readers came to selecting their 3 Stars. Although
November’s votes highlight a few regulars to this column, a few Canadiens will
be relative newcomers to this list.

1st Star Max Pacioretty 14 GP – 7 G –
4 A – 11 P – +2
Rating

It should come as no surprise that Montreal’s top point-getter in
November made this list. “Patch” also led the Canadiens in goals
and in shot on goals (by an astounding 16 shots) while regularly logging
major minutes on forward across all situations. In addition to
his scoring prowess, Pacioretty continues to impress on the physical
front, where his 29 hits were good for second on the team, leading all
forwards. The sole criticism one could make of Pacioretty, is that
the vast majority of his goals come late in games, and he (like all
Canadiens) need to start scoring earlier in matches.

★


47%
★★


31%
★★★


11%
2nd Star Carey Price 10 GP – 6 W –
4 L – 2.21 GAA – 0.924 SV% – 2 SO


Although Carey’s numbers were greatly inconsistent from game-to-game in
November (e.g., he allowed more
than 4 goals 3 times, but allowed 1 goal or less 5 times), it
was more of a result of how his team was playing in front of him.
Montreal’s inability to score first (or at all in the 1st period) has
placed an unfair burden on Price; he must stop everything directed his way
at the start of the game, lest his team be forced to come from behind. As daunting of a task that
may be, Carey has been somewhat
successful in this regard, and at the very least, he kept his team in
contention long enough for his teammates to rally for a comeback.

★


39%
★★


19%
★★★


19%
3rd Star Lars Eller 14 GP – 6 G –
2 A – 8 P – +1
Rating

With the demotion and subsequent trade of much-maligned Rene Bourque,
Eller seemed to find a new jump to his game. Although we had seen
glimpses of this potential during the playoffs and early last season, it
was a welcome sight to see some consistency from Eller; he was often the
best forward for Montreal last month. His 8 points tied him with
Tomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher for second on the team, and his 3
game-winning goals tied him with Washington’s Alex Ovechkin for the
league lead in November.

★

6%
★★

28%
★★★


22%
HM Jiri Sekac 12 GP – 2 G –
4 A – 6 P – +4
Rating

Aside from Lars Eller, few benefitted more from Bourque’s exit from
Montreal than Jiri Sekac. An inexplicable healthy scratch for
almost 3 weeks, Sekac was inserted into the line-up alongside Eller, and
his play paid off instantly. Although Sekac is far from being
remotely considered for the Calder Trophy, this first-year player has
had a significant impact on a deep Montreal team; Sekac’s speed and
strength on the puck gives the Habs 3 forward lines that can potentially
score, and more often than not, his ferocious forecheck hemmed the
opposition in their own end.

★


3%
★★


14%
★★★

14%


Thanks to all that voted, and be sure to check in for next month’s edition of
the HW 3 Stars.