“We need guys all-in. That’s what he is,” coach St. Louis says.
While the 30-year-old veteran winger will remain a lightning-rod in some social media circles, he has reinvented himself this season. Anderson, 6-foot-3 and 226 pounds, has become more involved while receiving regular penalty-killing duties. He has four goals and 10 points in 25 games on a team that frequently remains offensively-challenged.
Following Wednesday morning’s practice at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard, Anderson revealed it was Trouba, knowing he had to pay the piper for his earlier transgression, who approached him, inviting him to fight.
“It’s not OK to take guys out like that,” Anderson said, pausing for a moment in mid-sentence to carefully select his words. “Say what you want about (the hit). I’ve got to give Trouba credit. He’s the one who approached me and asked if I wanted to get it out of the way instead of worrying about it all game. I respected his decision. That’s old-school hockey right there. I’ve got to give him credit.”
One particular first-period shift stood out against the Islanders. Anderson knocked Anders Lee off the puck before setting up defenceman Kaiden Guhle with a breakaway, although Guhle was stopped by goaltender Ilya Sorokin.
“I’m trying to do everything I can to help the team win,” he said. “I’m trying to bring that each and every night, obviously the energy level and compete level. Honestly I feel good where I’m at. I’m in a good place. I think I’m engaged in each and every game I play. Maybe I’m playing a little different role but I enjoy it. Right now it’s all about winning games and helping the team.
“I’ve always played this way,” Anderson continued. “Maybe I was a little bit more confident with the puck a couple of years ago. At the end of the day you get older as a player … your role might change, but I still feel great out there. I don’t think I’ve lost a step at all.”
Anderson’s value to the team hasn’t been overlooked by his teammates or head coach Martin St. Louis.
“I think it was a very important thing he did (against Trouba),” defenceman Mike Matheson said. “He’s a big part of the team. I think over the last couple of years he kind of somehow has become this guy that is a target of things a lot. I think it’s unjust because of how much he does for the team, that being one of them.”
St. Louis said Anderson’s leadership qualities can’t be diminished. The coach said he leads by example, on and off the ice, and is having an excellent season.
“There’s so many things he showed me,” St. Louis said. “I don’t think he’s trying to show me. He’s just trying to be a leader and do what he knows he can do. Show his teammates that he’s all-in. That’s a big thing. When you look at the standings it’s easier to be not all-in. But if we want to climb, we need guys all-in. That’s what he is.”
While Anderson twice has exceeded 20 goals — including a career-high 27 with the Blue Jackets in 2018-19 — he believes he has raised the level of his play by not inflicting self-pressure to score.
“Anybody could say that really,” Anderson admitted. “You still want to produce in this league, absolutely. Each and every night you have a job. You want to do it the best you can. All you can do is work hard every shift and things will take care of itself. The more you worry about producing, the more you’re going to struggle.”
The Canadiens’ five-game homestand continues Thursday against Nashville (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM), the Predators arriving following Wednesday’s game at Toronto.