Tatar: 'We're having a lot of fun together'

VANCOUVER - Maybe starting the season with six straight road games wasn't so bad after all.

Not only have the Canadiens collected eight out of a possible 10 points on this trip with one contest left, but their offensive production has been nothing short of outstanding every step of the way, too.
Following their seven-goal outburst on Thursday night at Rogers Arena, Claude Julien's contingent leads the League with 24 goals. Fourteen of those goals have come at even-strength, which is another League-best, as are their four short-handed markers as well.

That's rather impressive for a team with so many newcomers who were forced to adapt to an entirely new system during an abbreviated training camp before flying to Western Canada.
And it's safe to say that everything has worked out for the best.
"We're very happy we could spend the first two weeks together. The mood is great," said Tomas Tatar, following Friday's practice in the Lower Mainland. "We want to remain humble, though, keep working hard and do our job. But the confidence is there. I just wanted to say we're having a lot of fun all together. That's important."

That cool atmosphere is something players have talked about time and again thus far this year, and the results really do speak for themselves.
Take Tyler Toffoli, for example, who exploded for five goals over the last two games alone and is clearly having the time of his life playing against his former team. Likewise, Josh Anderson is also enjoying the early part of his tenure with the Habs, contributing to the cause in a big way already with three goals on the year.
Everything's trending in the right direction and Julien believes the road experience has played an important part in helping the group click so quickly.
"I think it was a good thing for our hockey club. We made the acquisitions of a lot of new players. This trip allowed us to spend more time together and probably build a little bit of team chemistry," explained Julien. "I think the guys have enjoyed being together. There are setups in the hotels where we have a lounge for players where they can spend time there. It's set up so there's some activities, they can play cards or ping pong."

Team bonding aside, the veteran bench boss insists the modified schedule is also working to the Habs' advantage with less time spent flying from one place to the next as per usual.
He doesn't mind the playoff-like atmosphere games are taking on, either.
"It's easier on the body because we aren't just playing a game and then flying to the next city and arriving in the wee hours of the morning," noted Julien. "There are a lot of good things about it. It's also good for the fans. We're seeing rivalries developing as teams play each other. I think we'll see more and more rivalries as the season continues."
'These guys have been unbelievable examples'
While Joel Armia is sidelined with a concussion, it remains to be seen if Paul Byron will be available for Saturday's road-trip finale versus the Canucks.
Corey Perry took Armia's spot at practice on a line with Toffoli and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, while Michael Frolik took Byron's place alongside Jake Evans and Artturi Lehkonen.

Both Perry and Frolik haven't seen game action yet, plying their trade with the taxi squad, but Julien was adamant that they've been model citizens and played valuable roles nonetheless.
"These guys have been unbelievable examples for our young players on professionalism, work ethic, coming to the rink every day happy to be here and leading by example. They've been great that way from day one," praised Julien. "We know eventually that they're going to end up getting into the lineup and then helping us out."
A reminder that puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
You can watch the game on CBC, Sportsnet, Citytv and TVA Sports, and listen to all the action on TSN Radio 690 and 98,5 FM.