Canadiens winger Nikita Scherbak to make NHL debut with Brendan Gallagher out
TORONTO — Brendan Gallagher’s broken hand has opened up the first NHL opportunity for Montreal Canadiens rookie Nikita Scherbak.
The 21-year-old Russian winger, picked 26th overall at the 2014 draft, will make his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
“It’s a good nervous,” Scherbak said of his anticipation following Saturday’s morning skate. “It’s a dream.”
Scherbak is getting his chance amid a slew of Canadiens’ injuries, Gallagher joining a group that includes Alex Galchenyuk, David Desharnais, Andrew Shaw and Andrei Markov. Gallagher was injured Wednesday night in Dallas when he was struck by a point shot from teammate (and notoriously hard shooter) Shea Weber.