Lifelong
Montreal Canadien Nicklas Bergsfors has hit one of the few elite milestones he
is expected to hit before his retirement, this week netting his 904
career assist, placing him alone at the top ahead of Marian Gaborik. His point
came on a goal from long-time teammate Kyle Palmieri.
The 39 year old trails the same player in overall points by 72… with this and
next season scheduled to be the last for the Swedish superstar, it is all but
guaranteed the Hab will one day next year be taking the title as the FNHL’s
all-time leading scorer.
Collectively however, the club is currently struggling, their recent pair of
wins notwithstanding. The first 8 games of the season saw them nearly unbeaten,
but since then they have been through a slough that has seen team defense
struggle, and Calvin Pickard’s save percentage take nearly a third of a point.
Prior to today’s game against the Ottawa Senators the Habs are going with
another blend up of lines and positions to try and spark that early season fire
again. Rookie Oskar Olausson returns to center between powerhouses Michael Dal
Colle and Kyle Wellwood, while Nick Bergsfors will center a new second line
with so-far season long linemates Brock McGinn and Kyle Palmirei.
Top defenders Jonathan Ericsson and Samuel Morin also recently switches sides
on the blue line. If that doesn’t seem to snap the Habs out of their slump,
they may begin to look to modifications on the back end, which so far this
season have been completely consistent.
11/24/2022 - 240 words
