Canadiens' Josh Anderson "sucked" last season, but has reinvented himself

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Final April, because the Canadiens had been packing their belongings for yet one more lengthy summer time, Josh Anderson admitted he “sucked” after scoring 9 objectives and 20 factors in 78 video games — his lowest whole since becoming a member of Montreal in 2020.

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Whereas the 30-year-old veteran winger will stay a lightning-rod in some social media circles, he has reinvented himself this season. Anderson, 6-foot-3 and 226 kilos, has grow to be extra concerned whereas receiving common penalty-killing duties. He has 4 objectives and 10 factors in 25 video games on a crew that ceaselessly stays offensively-challenged.

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Anderson stays a frontrunner within the dressing room on a younger Canadiens crew, displaying his worth and value final Saturday, placing an early beating on New York Rangers defenceman Jacob Trouba whereas extracting revenge for the vicious hit Trouba administered towards Montreal defenceman Justin Barron, Oct. 22, whereas the Canadiens had been being manhandled, 7-2.

Following Wednesday morning’s follow on the CN Sports activities Complicated in Brossard, Anderson revealed it was Trouba, realizing he needed to pay the piper for his earlier transgression, who approached him, inviting him to battle.

“It’s not OK to take guys out like that,” Anderson mentioned, pausing for a second in mid-sentence to fastidiously choose his phrases. “Say what you need about (the hit). I’ve obtained to provide Trouba credit score. He’s the one who approached me and requested if I needed to get it out of the best way as an alternative of worrying about all of it sport. I revered his resolution. That’s old-school hockey proper there. I’ve obtained to provide him credit score.”

Anderson has been extraordinarily engaged of late regardless of what can be thought-about reasonable ice time. In Tuesday’s additional time victory towards the New York Islanders, taking part in on a line with Christian Dvorak and Brendan Gallagher, Anderson had 4 hits in 13:02 of ice time. He blocked a shot and, when known as upon to take faceoffs, gained each attracts.

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One explicit first-period shift stood out towards the Islanders. Anderson knocked Anders Lee off the puck earlier than organising defenceman Kaiden Guhle with a breakaway, though Guhle was stopped by goaltender Ilya Sorokin.

Anderson, who got here to the Canadiens in an October 2020 commerce from Columbus for Max Domi, believes his sport has grow to be extra constant.

“I’m attempting to do every part I can to assist the crew win,” he mentioned. “I’m attempting to carry that each evening, clearly the power stage and compete stage. Actually I really feel good the place I’m at. I’m in an excellent place. I feel I’m engaged in each sport I play. Possibly I’m taking part in somewhat totally different function however I get pleasure from it. Proper now it’s all about successful video games and serving to the crew.

“I’ve all the time performed this fashion,” Anderson continued. “Possibly I used to be somewhat bit extra assured with the puck a few years in the past. On the finish of the day you become old as a participant … your function would possibly change, however I nonetheless really feel nice on the market. I don’t assume I’ve misplaced a step in any respect.”

Anderson’s worth to the crew hasn’t been ignored by his teammates or head coach Martin St. Louis.

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“I feel it was a vital factor he did (towards Trouba),” defenceman Mike Matheson mentioned. “He’s an enormous a part of the crew. I feel during the last couple of years he type of someway has grow to be this man that could be a goal of issues lots. I feel it’s unjust due to how a lot he does for the crew, that being certainly one of them.”

St. Louis mentioned Anderson’s management qualities can’t be diminished. The coach mentioned he leads by instance, on and off the ice, and is having a superb season.

“There’s so many issues he confirmed me,” St. Louis mentioned. “I don’t assume he’s attempting to point out me. He’s simply attempting to be a frontrunner and do what he is aware of he can do. Present his teammates that he’s all-in. That’s an enormous factor. While you have a look at the standings it’s simpler to be not all-in. But when we need to climb, we want guys all-in. That’s what he’s.”

Whereas Anderson twice has exceeded 20 objectives — together with a career-high 27 with the Blue Jackets in 2018-19 — he believes he has raised the extent of his play by not inflicting self-pressure to attain.

“Anyone might say that actually,” Anderson admitted. “You continue to need to produce on this league, completely. Each evening you may have a job. You need to do it the perfect you possibly can. All you are able to do is figure arduous each shift and issues will care for itself. The extra you are worried about producing, the extra you’re going to wrestle.”

The Canadiens’ five-game homestand continues Thursday towards Nashville (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM), the Predators arriving following Wednesday’s sport at Toronto.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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