Gallagher and Subban engage in a private war

The final score at the Bell Centre on Saturday night was Nashville Predators 3, Montreal Can a di ens 2.

But there was also a game within the game and the final score there was Brendan Gallagher 1, P.K. Subban 0.

The former team mates appeared to have their own private war were words—although neither player would go into the details of the trash-talking — and there was some physical play. Gallagher, who would score his 20 th goal was credited with four hits and three of them were delivered on Subban.

At the start of the second period. Gallagher had the Nashville defenceman lined up for hit along the end boards, but he fell as he made contact.

“I think I hit (Lehkonen’s) stick and I fell on my face ... it was kind of hard to do,” said Gallagher, who needed four stitches to close a cut over his right eye.

While Gallagher grew tired of eva ding questions about the battle with Subban, he said there was no personal animus.

“We went at each other because we were both on the ice at the same time,” Gallagher said. “That’s the way I play against everybody.”

Gallagher’s goal was his 20th of the season and he’s on pace to score 30 goals. His previous high for a season is 24, but Gallagher said the goals don’t compensate for a disappointing season.

“To be honest, I had more fun scoring 10 goals last season than 20 this season,” Gallagher said. “It’s been a frustrating season.”

Part of the frustration stems from the fact the Canadiens can come up with a strong performance against the top team in the Central Division, but struggle against some of the NHL’s other have-nots.

“We’ve played the top teams pretty good, especially in our building ,” Gallagher said .“Once we feel that we’re a heavy underdog, we seem to play at a different level, but we have to do that every night .”

The Canadiens had 49 shots on goal, including 10 in the overtime when they had Subban and company gasping for air as they kept the puck in the Nashville zone for nearly two minutes.

The key factor in the game was the play of Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne.

“We tried to get people around the net and make it tough on him, but he’s a big goalie and he played well,” Gallagher said.

Jonathan Drouin continues to struggle in the faceoff circle — he won four of 13 drops of the puck — but he scored the tying goal at 18:45 of the third period after the Canadiens pulled goaltender Carey Price.

It was another step forward for Nikita Scherbak, who is playing with Druo in and Alex Gal chen yuk. Each member of the line had four shots on goal and Drouin said this was Sc herba k’ s best game since he was recalled last week.

“Our first period wasn’t that good, but we picked up the pace,” Drouin said. “(Scherbak) wanted the puck. He made some plays and almost buried one there in the third. It sucks to see it not go in, but you can see the progression.”