Mete: Looking up to Carey

NEW YORK - Like thousands upon thousands of people across the globe, Victor Mete was touched after seeing footage of Carey Price's embrace with 11-year-old Anderson Whitehead last weekend in Toronto.

Following Friday's optional morning skate at Madison Square Garden, the 20-year-old defenseman reacted to the viral video revealing the incredible encounter between the seven-time All-Star and one of his most dedicated young fans.
"It's definitely heartwarming to see him put a smile on a kid's face like that. It means a lot to them and their families. I think everyone kind of teared up when they saw it," said Mete. "It's really impressive when a guy like that can make someone's day or even someone's life. It's pretty cool to see and it's definitely very humbling from him."

Mete wasn't at all surprised to see Price do his best to comfort Anderson during this extremely difficult time in his life.
Anderson lost his mother, Laura, to cancer back in November, and she had desperately tried to help her son meet Price for five years prior to her passing.
"It's definitely something that I could see him doing," mentioned Mete. "For it to go out there viral and show everyone what kind of a guy he's like and how he is, I think it's very special."
The two-year NHL veteran has always admired the Canadiens' starter. It isn't just his incredible skill between the pipes that impresses him, but the way he conducts himself day after day, too.
"Being young, I kind of look up to a guy like him, so being able to see what he can do with the fans and the way he can communicate with other people is pretty special," explained Mete. "He's a really calm and cool guy. He treats everyone the same. It doesn't matter if you're older or younger, he's always including everyone in everything. I think he's a really good person."

This one won't be easy
The Rangers might be 10 points out of a playoff spot, but the Canadiens still expect their Eastern Conference counterparts to play a very tough brand of hockey on Friday night.
With up-and-coming players aplenty in their lineup, the Rangers certainly won't be lacking in energy and enthusiasm.
Andrew Shaw believes a significant test awaits to close out the current four-game road trip.
"They want to impress. They're going to work hard, they're going to compete and they're earning a spot on that roster," said Shaw, of a Rangers squad that has fallen to both the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime in their last two outings. "With the key veteran players they have, they can be a dangerous team, so we have to be expecting a hard-fought game."
For his part, head coach Claude Julien anticipates another entertaining affair on tap for those in attendance.
"MSG is always a special place for teams to come in. I find the crowd really gets into it at times. When we've played the Rangers, for some reason, they're always exciting games," said Julien. "There's always ups and downs on both sides, and we've had the lead here before, and we've lost it. They make a comeback, the crowd gets into it. We've won some tight games here before, so it just seems like the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers have some exciting games in this building every time we're in here."

No doubt winning in the Big Apple would make the experience of playing at the "World's Most Famous Arena" even sweeter.
"When you work hard, when you compete, you always give yourself a chance. I've always said that. That doesn't just apply to our team, but to other teams also," explained Julien. "The Rangers have a young team, but they also have a team that works extremely hard. They create good games almost every night, so it's up to us to prepare well and recognize the circumstances we're in and bring the best we can on the ice."