For 99% of the players in the NHL, this would be an astounding timeframe to return to action after an emergency appendectomy.
But for Max Pacioretty, it is hardly a surprise.
The word "beast" is thrown around alot, in reference to NHL players, but MaxPac is one for whom it is entirely an apt description.
Two years ago, he broke two ribs, BROKE two ribs, and came back THE NEXT GAME. NOt only that, but you would think any player coming back in those circumstances would shy away from physical contact, play a perimeter game, at least for the first few games back, definitely the first game back. Not Max. By my recollection, he had 4 hits and 7, SEVEN, shots on goal.
Why the emphasis on shots on goal? Because anyone who has had BRUISED ribs, let alone BROKEN ribs, knows that it's difficult to breathe, to sleep, to cough, torture. Shooting a hockey puck, SLAPPING a hockey puck? Up more than a few notches on the pain meter.
Max Pacioretty will play today, and mark my words, he'll take 5+ shots on goal, register 3+ hits, and score a timely goal. Because it's Max.
Good news for his owners, good news for Cole and Desharnais owners, good news for Habs fans, but not really a surprise to the latter.
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"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."
Twitter: @ross10019
CBS Sportsline 14 team H2H keeper (21-man roster, 14 keepers), weekly lineup changes
G, A, PPP, SOG, BS, +/-, GAA, W, SV%
Montreal Maulers - 2011/12 and 2012/13 League Champions
C: Zetterberg/Getzlaf/Granlund/Roy/Desharnais
W: Hossa/Gaborik/Moulson/Marleau/Fleischmann/Horton/Brown/Baertschi(IR)
D: Markov/Karlsson(IR)/Letang/Byfuglien/McDonagh/Tyutin/Spurgeon
G: Lundqvist/Hiller/Brodeur
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