The Habs say Gallagher doesn't recognize himself in the video of him elbowing an Islanders player in the head

Brendan Gallagher says he doesn't recognize himself when considering the move that led to his five-game ban.

On January 25, Gallagher elbowed New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech in the head. As a result, Pelech missed one game. Gallagher was sidelined for nearly three weeks.

He will finally return to action on Thursday when the Habs visit the New York Rangers.

“I've been playing this sport a long time and I've never been suspended, not just in the NHL,” Gallagher said Wednesday after the Habs' practice. “I don't think this will happen again, I was surprised when it happened.”

“It's not a good feeling,” he added. “It's not part of my DNA. It's the first time in my life and hopefully the last.'

Gallagher said he has sent Pelech a note and looks forward to restarting it soon.

The 31-year-old veteran also repeated the sequence that led to his suspension.

Gallagher said he believed Pelech could escape and wanted to prevent him from sneaking up behind him.

“My intention was not to hit him, but to get him out of the way,” Gallagher said. “Then at the last moment I thought I should have hit it, my angle of attack was wrong, I didn't hit it in the right place.

“It wasn't intentional. It's a fast sport and everything happens fast.”

As for the length of his suspension, Gallagher didn't want to get into hot water by criticizing the NHL's player safety department.

However, he noted that comparisons have been made to Boston Bruins quarterback Charlie McAvoy's four-game suspension earlier this season.

McAvoy knocked out Florida Panthers quarterback Oliver Ekman-Larsson with a hard, late check.

“My proof is I was trying to play hockey and the puck was on the guy,” Gallagher said. “We both hit him in the head. I've got one more game (than McAvoy). That's it. I'll live with their decision, but I'm glad to be back.”

Gallagher has eight goals and as many assists in 48 games this season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on February 14, 2024.