The skinny: Rookie Sven Andrighetto is making an immediate impact on the National Hockey League. Andrighetto scored a goal in his NHL debut on Saturday in Dallas and he assisted on Tomas Plekanec’s winner as the Canadiens opened a five-game homestand Tuesday night with a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
The Canadiens’ great line shuffle produced more offence, but it was difficult transforming shots into goals and they had more shots blocked than they put on the net. But Andrighetto found Plekanec cutting toward the net and the veteran lifted the puck to break a 1-1 tie at 15:44 of the third period.
Second to none: The Canadiens opened the second period with a two-man advantage and, while they didn’t score, they carried the momentum forward. Brendan Gallagher scored the first goal of the game at 6:56 — marking only the 10th time in 30 games that the Canadiens have struck first — and the Canucks went nine minutes before they managed their first shot of the period. Gallagher displayed some sleight of hand to score his eighth goal of the season. It appeared he was going to rim the puck behind the net but instead he cut inside and beat Ryan Miller with a shot to the far post on Miller’s glove side. Max Pacioretty salted away the win with an empty-netter at 19:59 of the third period.
Momentum changer: Vancouver matched Gallagher’s goal with a shorthanded effort from Derek Dorsett at 11:56. Jannik Hansen beat Andrei Markov to a clearing pass and then fed Dorsett with a centring pass. Dorsett had a step on David Desharnais, while P.K. Subban was out of the picture.
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![Vancouver Canucks Ryan Stanto, left, lifts Montreal Canadiens David Desharnais's stick preventing him from shooting the puck in front of goalie Ryan Miller during second period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Vancouver Canucks Ryan Stanto, left, lifts Montreal Canadiens David Desharnais's stick preventing him from shooting the puck in front of goalie Ryan Miller during second period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Montreal Canadiens Tomas Plekanec, left, celebrates his game-winning goal against the Vancouver Canucks with teammates Sven Andrighetto, rear, Alexei Emlin and Sergei Gonchar during third period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens Tomas Plekanec, left, celebrates his game-winning goal against the Vancouver Canucks with teammates Sven Andrighetto, rear, Alexei Emlin and Sergei Gonchar during third period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Montreal Canadiens Andrei Markov and Brendan Gallagher try to control loose puck in front of Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller during second period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens Andrei Markov and Brendan Gallagher try to control loose puck in front of Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller during second period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens watches the rebounding puck on an attempt by Alex Burrows (14) of the Vancouver Canucks during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.]()
Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens watches the rebounding puck on an attempt by Alex Burrows (14) of the Vancouver Canucks during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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![Daniel Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks skates wit the puck while being chased by P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.]()
Daniel Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks skates wit the puck while being chased by P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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![Montreal Canadiens Carey Price, left, and Alex Galchenyuk defend their goal as Vancouver Canucks Jannik Hansen skates out from behind the net during National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens Carey Price, left, and Alex Galchenyuk defend their goal as Vancouver Canucks Jannik Hansen skates out from behind the net during National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price reaches for puck behind Vancouver Canucks Alexandre Burrows as defenceman Andrei Markov defends during National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price reaches for puck behind Vancouver Canucks Alexandre Burrows as defenceman Andrei Markov defends during National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller stops Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher during first period NHL hockey action Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal.]()
Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller stops Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher during first period NHL hockey action Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal.
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![Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price slides across his crease as Vancouver Canucks Brad Richardson carries the puck behind the net during National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price slides across his crease as Vancouver Canucks Brad Richardson carries the puck behind the net during National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller makes a save off Montreal Canadiens' Max Pacioretty during first period NHL hockey action Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal.]()
Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller makes a save off Montreal Canadiens' Max Pacioretty during first period NHL hockey action Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal.
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![Montreal Canadiens Tomas Plekanec scores the winning goal past Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller during third period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens Tomas Plekanec scores the winning goal past Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller during third period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Max Pacioretty (#67) of the Montreal Canadiens shoots the puck on Ryan Miller (#30) of the Vancouver Canucks during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.]()
Max Pacioretty (#67) of the Montreal Canadiens shoots the puck on Ryan Miller (#30) of the Vancouver Canucks during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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![Chris Tanev (#8) of the Vancouver Canucks defends against Alex Galchenyuk (#27) of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.]()
Chris Tanev (#8) of the Vancouver Canucks defends against Alex Galchenyuk (#27) of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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![Montreal Canadiens Brendan Gallagher celebrates his second-period goal against the Vancouver Canucks during National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens Brendan Gallagher celebrates his second-period goal against the Vancouver Canucks during National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Montreal Canadiens' Tomas Plekanec celebrates his goal with teammate Sven Andrighetto, right, as Vancouver Canucks' Kevin Bieksa skates by during third period NHL hockey action Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal. The Canadiens beat the Canucks 3-1.]()
Montreal Canadiens' Tomas Plekanec celebrates his goal with teammate Sven Andrighetto, right, as Vancouver Canucks' Kevin Bieksa skates by during third period NHL hockey action Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal. The Canadiens beat the Canucks 3-1.
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![Brendan Gallagher (#11) of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his second period goal with teammates during the NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.]()
Brendan Gallagher (#11) of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his second period goal with teammates during the NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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![Carey Price (#31) of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates their 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks with teammates during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Canucks 3-1.]()
Carey Price (#31) of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates their 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks with teammates during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Canucks 3-1.
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![Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price steers away a shot as teammate P.K. Subban, rear, ties up Vancouver Canucks Linden Vey during second period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price steers away a shot as teammate P.K. Subban, rear, ties up Vancouver Canucks Linden Vey during second period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Montreal Canadiens Alex Galchenyuk, right, is knocked off balance by Vancouver Canucks Kevin Bieksa during second peiod of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens Alex Galchenyuk, right, is knocked off balance by Vancouver Canucks Kevin Bieksa during second peiod of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Carey Price (#31) of the Montreal Canadiens gets down to stop the incoming puck in front of teammate Alexei Emelin (#74) and Brad Richardson #15 of the Vancouver Canucks during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Canucks 3-1.]()
Carey Price (#31) of the Montreal Canadiens gets down to stop the incoming puck in front of teammate Alexei Emelin (#74) and Brad Richardson #15 of the Vancouver Canucks during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Canucks 3-1.
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![Ryan Miller (#30) of the Vancouver Canucks stops the puck in front of David Desharnais (#51) of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.]()
Ryan Miller (#30) of the Vancouver Canucks stops the puck in front of David Desharnais (#51) of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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![Montreal Canadiens Alex Galchenyuk, right, is knocked off balance by Vancouver Canucks Kevin Bieksa during second peiod of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens Alex Galchenyuk, right, is knocked off balance by Vancouver Canucks Kevin Bieksa during second peiod of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Montreal Canadiens Jiri Sekac is checked by Vancouver Canucks Kevin Bieksa during third period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens Jiri Sekac is checked by Vancouver Canucks Kevin Bieksa during third period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Montreal Canadiens David Desharnais falls after getting caught up with the stick of Vancouver Canucks Brad Richardson, right, during third period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens David Desharnais falls after getting caught up with the stick of Vancouver Canucks Brad Richardson, right, during third period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Montreal Canadiens defenceman Sergei Gonchar, left, knocks the puck away from goalie Carey Price during National Hockey League game against the Vancouver Canucks in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Sergei Gonchar, left, knocks the puck away from goalie Carey Price during National Hockey League game against the Vancouver Canucks in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
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![Élise Béliveau is consoled by her daughter Hélène as she is overcome by emotion as she stands next to her husband Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Béliveau's empty seat, during a ceremony prior to facing the Vancouver Canucks in NHL hockey action Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal. Béliveau died last week at the age of 83.]()
Élise Béliveau is consoled by her daughter Hélène as she is overcome by emotion as she stands next to her husband Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Béliveau's empty seat, during a ceremony prior to facing the Vancouver Canucks in NHL hockey action Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal. Béliveau died last week at the age of 83.
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![Elise Beliveau sits next to her husband Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau's empty seat, prior to a ceremony Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal. Beliveau died last week at the age of 83.]()
Elise Beliveau sits next to her husband Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau's empty seat, prior to a ceremony Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal. Beliveau died last week at the age of 83.
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![Family members of the late Montreal Canadiens player Jean Béliveau during a ceremony prior to the NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal.]()
Family members of the late Montreal Canadiens player Jean Béliveau during a ceremony prior to the NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre on December 9, 2014 in Montreal.
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![Photographs of Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau are projected on the ice during a ceremony prior to facing the Vancouver Canucks in NHL hockey action Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal. Beliveau died last week at the age of 83.]()
Photographs of Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau are projected on the ice during a ceremony prior to facing the Vancouver Canucks in NHL hockey action Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Montreal. Beliveau died last week at the age of 83.
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![Montreal Canadiens Sven Andrighetto, right, collides with Vancouver Canucks Yannick Weber during third period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.]()
Montreal Canadiens Sven Andrighetto, right, collides with Vancouver Canucks Yannick Weber during third period of National Hockey League game in Montreal Tuesday December 09, 2014.
Gallery: Canadiens vs. Canucks
Action from the Montreal Canadiens vs. Vancouver Canucks NHL game at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Tuesday Dec. 9, 2014.
Same old power play: The Canadiens continue to struggle on the power play. They gave up the shorthanded goal and went 0-for-5, including a two-man advantage, for 1:06 to start the second period. The Canucks came up empty on two power plays.
Homage to Béliveau: The game was preceded by a short but emotional video tribute and a moment of silence for the late Jean Béliveau and there were video highlights of his career shown on the scoreboard during stoppages in play. His widow, Élise, who attended the game accompanied by her daughter Hélène and two granddaughters, broke down and cried during an ovation for her late husband and then made a gesture of thanks to the crowd.
What’s next: The homestand continues when the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings visit the Bell Centre for a rare Friday night home game (7:30 p.m., Sportsnet East, RDS, TSN-690 Radio). There are three more home games on tap next week against Carolina on Tuesday, Anaheim on Thursday and Ottawa on Saturday. Prior to the Anaheim game, the Canadiens will honour former captain Saku Koivu, who finished his career with the Ducks.
