Agostino: 'I'll play whatever role is required to stay in the NHL'

ST. LOUIS - All Kenny Agostino has done since being recalled from the AHL's Laval Rocket is impress, and the Habs' coaching staff has clearly taken notice.

If the 26-year-old winger suits up against the Blues on Thursday night in Missouri, it would mark his 30th straight game after joining the club in early November.
Agostino has yet to watch a single contest from the sidelines as a healthy scratch, and was the lone member of the Canadiens' fourth line that wasn't replaced for the 3-2 win in Detroit on Tuesday.
Remember that Matthew Peca and Charles Hudon drew back into the lineup for Nicolas Deslauriers and Michael Chaput against the Red Wings, while Agostino remained in place.
"I'm taking this day by day," said Agostino, who met the media following Wednesday's practice at the Enterprise Center. "Obviously when you're in the lineup, it gives you a boost of confidence that hopefully you're doing the right things."

In Agostino's case, "doing the right things" has meant embracing a rather atypical role for himself in Montreal.
The Yale University graduate has been especially productive offensively in the AHL ranks in recent years, even winning the scoring title and securing League MVP honors with the Chicago Wolves in 2017 after registering a career-high 24 goals and 83 points in 65 games.
He was also leading the Rocket with 10 points (4g - 6a) through 12 outings at the time of his call-up.
But, lighting the lamp isn't necessarily in his job description with his currently employer.
"I've understood my role during the time I've been here. I've kind of learned how important it is for our line to play smart, simple hockey, create chances when we can, but more importantly deny chances in the offensive zone and keep pucks out of our net," mentioned Agostino, a former fifth-round selection of the Pittsburgh Penguins with previous NHL experience in Calgary, St. Louis and Boston. "It's an adjustment. I'll play whatever role is required to stay in the NHL. It's just understanding it and having a simpler plan. So far, I've executed that."

Nevertheless, Agostino has still chipped in with a pair of goals and collected 11 points, in addition to posting a plus-2 differential while averaging 11:17 of ice time per game. He also ranks fifth on the roster with 69 hits.
"Maybe it could be hard for some guys to accept that role, but I just want to do whatever I can to stay in the lineup and help this team," stressed Agostino. "It's all about how you approach it. The only way you're going to do really well with it is to have a great mindset. Everyone wants to score, but it's not my role. Hopefully, I'm doing my part to help the team."
With that in mind, the Morristown, NJ native is taking pride in going about the business of accomplishing tasks other than finding the back of the net.
"You're looking at other things on the statsheet as much as points when you're in this role," insisted Agostino. "Keeping pucks in the O-zone, finishing hits. You're just creating momentum, which I think is the most important thing you can take away from your responsibility in this role."

But, he will still be looking to find twine whenever possible, of course.
"We want to chip in whenever we can. It's a bit unfair to put a burden on our top guys to consistently score every night. Every now and again, if we can chip in, it would be great," concluded Agostino. "But for us, I think it's just more important that we're creating offensive opportunities and denying the other team's offensive opportunities."