Come together

CORAL SPRINGS - The Canadiens took to the ice at the Panthers Ice Den on Friday and spent the afternoon working on their five-man attack.

"Against Tampa, at five-on-five, we did some good work. What hurt us the most was the lack of scoring. When you look at our season, we've been scoring more goals on the rush than in the offensive zone," explained head coach Claude Julien after the on-ice session. "We have to find a way to be more active in the offensive zone. That's what we worked on today to help us improve that area of our game."

That trouble scoring has resulted in the Canadiens losing their last three games, in which they have only been able to muster up a single tally each time. But veteran forward Andrew Shaw understands what it'll take for his club to pull itself out of its current slump, and it's a message he'll be passing along to his fellow Habs in the room.
"We have to stay focused, stay positive, and keep working. The floodgates are going to open at some point for us," outlined Andrew Shaw, who has six points (3G, 3A) and an even differential in 11 games in December. "We're playing strong defensively, that's a good thing; we're not giving up many goals. We have to keep at it. We have to bury our opportunities."

Max Pacioretty probably wishes he could've buried some of his stellar scoring chances recently, including one that came on a breakaway in Raleigh on Wednesday. He has only four assists in December, but not for lack of trying; his 29 shots on goal this month are tied for second-most on the team.
"I know my production hasn't been there, so I have to find a way to get it and help the team win," noted the captain, who admitted he's never endured an offensive drought quite as long as the one he's experiencing now. "Chances are tough to come by right now, but I think I've had some grade A [scoring chances] that, with some confidence - or even some luck - it goes in. That's the way it goes sometimes; they come in bunches. I'm hoping to get one to jumpstart it."
The native of New Canaan, CT was reunited with Phillip Danault and Shaw for Thursday night's contest in Tampa, and affirmed that a certain comfort level with that combination might help get things going offensively.
"We know what we're doing. We're not exactly going to be making the highlight-reel plays, but all three of us work hard. A lot of goals have gone in off of bodies in front of the net. We want to score that way, but to score in bunches, you need other ways to score: to make plays and to attack as a unit of five," continued Pacioretty. "That's what we worked on today. Our line can bring that, because all three of us are strong skaters and can play at both ends of the ice. That can lead to some offense."

Galchenyuk on the upswing
Julien was asked about the improved play of 23-year-old forward Alex Galchenyuk, and told reporters he was encouraged by his recent progression.
"I find he's skating a lot better. He's a guy who endured a pretty major injury last year, but he seems to have regained his skating," Julien said of the Milwaukee native. "When he skates, his skills come out that much more. I'm happy with the direction he's headed. I want to encourage him to keep giving us performances like he has been lately."
Tied for the team lead in points with nine (3G, 6A) with Daniel Carr, Galchenyuk's work hasn't gone unnoticed by his teammates.
"He's getting the puck with speed, he's making plays. I think his speed is a big factor. When he has the puck with speed, he's going to make things happen," added Shaw of Galchenyuk, who scored a goal in Carolina and recorded five shots on net against the Lightning the following night. "He's a shooter, so when he's in a position to shoot the puck and has the chance to shoot the puck, he's going to put it in the back of the net."