Canadiens Home Opener Defined by Parros Injury

Tuesday night’s game in Montreal between the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs marked the 15th time the two teams have opened an NHL season against each other. The Leafs now hold a 10-5 record after winning the season opener 4-3. The night started off with what’s now becoming a traditional passing of the torch between current and past players. A loud ovation came from the fans at the Bell Centre as the torch was passed from Guy Lafleur to first-time Canadien Daniel Brière, a little bit ironic considering how much he was booed ever since he signed with Philadelphia instead of Montreal in 2007. Also notable from Tuesday night’s pre-game was Ryan White’s completely shaved head; he must have dropped at least three pounds without that messy flow on his head. The momentum was fast and intense, filled with opportunities and battles. The shots on goal were 38 and 37 for Toronto and Montreal, respectively. James van Riemsdyk opened up the scoring in the first on a power play goal assisted by Cody Franson and Phil Kessel, who had just signed an eight year, $64 million deal with the Leafs earlier that day. Montreal countered two minutes later with a goal by fully recovered Lars Eller and was followed by a goal from linemate Brendan Gallagher almost four minutes later. That young line of Gallagher, Eller, and Galchenyuk would end up being the most productive for the Canadiens, as Eller went on to score the third goal for the Canadiens. Montreal led 2-1 after the first but was trailing 3-2 after a goal by Dion Phaneuf and a short-handed goal by Tyler Bozak. Mayson Raymond went on to score the final goal for the Maple Leafs. The shots and goals kept the game interesting but the fights kept the game intense and intriguing. The fourth line for the Canadiens consisting of Parros, Prust, and Moen was no doubt expected to be in the middle of some conflicts but they also provided an offensive boost. Parros at times looked hungry for his 19th NHL goal and Moen and Prust each had two shots on goal. Parros opened up the fighting for the Canadiens as he and Colton Orr went at it in the second period, a fight that was building up since Orr’s hit on Pacioretty sent Pacioretty to the dressing room in the first period. Fans in the Bell Centre went wild as the six-foot-five violent gentleman dropped the gloves. Travis Moen also got tied up with Mark Fraser near the end of the period. And then there was the incident early in the third period that defined this game. A multi-player scrum in front of the Habs net saw Jarred Tinordi take on Carter Ashton, keeping him off Brandon Prust, and Parros face off with Orr once again after Orr went after P.K. Subban. The fight barely progressed as Colton Orr fell and Parros, who was holding on to Orr’s jersey fell as well. Parros was on the unlucky side of the fall, as he hit his face on the ice and was left with a bloodied chin and a concussion. Colton Orr calls for help as Parros lays motionless (Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz) The Bell Centre became awfully quiet as 21,273 spectators watched with concern as Parros laid on the ice and teammates and doctors rushed to his side. He was sent to the hospital and was released this morning. He is now out indefinitely with a concussion. Although Parros’s injury was caused by what most consider bad luck, the fighting debate in the NHL got heated once again. Should it be banned? Is it worth risking these players’ careers? Is fighting a necessary entertainment factor and an integral part of hockey? Everyone has their own strong opinions to these questions but when you see a big guy laying on the ice not knowing what just hit him, whether it was caused by bad luck or a punch, questions will arise and change could come.   The post Canadiens Home Opener Defined by Parros Injury appeared first on The Farm Club.