The Montreal Canadiens are officially on the brink of elimination. After getting shut out 4-0 at home in Game 4, the Canadiens now trail the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Final, putting all the pressure on Game 5 tonight in Raleigh.
With the season hanging by a thread, former Canadiens fan favorite Brandon Prust added even more emotion to the conversation surrounding Montreal’s lineup decisions.
Former Canadiens Winger Sends Martin St. Louis a Message
Ahead of the elimination game, Prust posted a simple three-word message on his Instagram story: “Free Brendan Gallagher.”
The message quickly grabbed attention among Canadiens fans because of what Brendan Gallagher currently represents for the organization.
After 14 hard-fought seasons in Montreal, Gallagher has become one of the emotional leaders and toughest players of the Canadiens era. But at this stage of his career, the veteran winger is facing a difficult reality.
His production dropped to a career-low 23 points in 77 games this season, and during parts of this playoff run, he has found himself watching from the press box as a healthy scratch.
Prust’s message clearly reflects frustration over seeing one of Montreal’s longtime warriors sitting out while the Canadiens fight to keep their season alive.
The connection between Prust and Gallagher also runs deep. During the 2012-13 season, Prust essentially took a young Gallagher under his wing when he first entered the NHL.
Now, with Montreal on the brink of elimination, many fans believe Prust’s post was a direct call for Martin St. Louis to put Gallagher back into the lineup for what could potentially be the veteran’s final playoff game with the Canadiens.
Head coach Martin St. Louis has faced several difficult roster decisions throughout the postseason. Gallagher was scratched earlier in the playoffs against Tampa Bay before eventually returning for Game 5 and immediately scoring one of his trademark gritty net-front goals just minutes into the game.
Even while out of the lineup, Gallagher continues earning praise from teammates for his attitude and leadership, with Josh Anderson highlighting how supportive he has remained. “It’s a tough situation for him,” Josh Anderson said. “But he’s been nothing but a great teammate for every guy in that locker room. He’s just putting in the work and being ready to play when his name is called.”
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Now the Canadiens face a difficult choice heading into the biggest game of their season.
Bringing Gallagher back into the lineup would inject playoff experience, physicality, and emotional energy into the group. But it would also likely mean taking ice time away from younger, faster players St. Louis has leaned on during this postseason run.
With Montreal’s season hanging in the balance, the debate around Gallagher’s role has only intensified.
All eyes now shift to Martin St. Louis and whether he gives one of the franchise’s longtime heart-and-soul players another chance in Game 5.
