Brendan Gallagher's struggles are forcing an uncomfortable lineup debate

On social media, the conversation around "Gally" has been picking up again over the last few games, but it was even more noticeable today.

When the injured players return, this is going to become a very delicate situation for head coach Martin St-Louis.

Would it really make sense to remove an Alexandre Texier or a Samuel Blais from the lineup to keep Gallagher in?

This Saturday, he was seen going over to talk to Jordan Binnington after a big save. It's the kind of scene that fits his style, even when things aren't going well.

It makes you smile, but it also brings up another, heavier question. The recent numbers are not pretty, and it's worse than expected.

In his last seventeen games, Gallagher has one goal and only two assists. He has 13 points in 41 games, which pretty much sums up how things haven't been going very well for him this season.

At 33 years old, he remains one of the most recognizable faces in the Montreal Canadiens' locker room. His contract carries a $6.5M cap hit per season, and that automatically puts a spotlight on his production.

The timing doesn't help either. Josh Anderson is officially out today, but that won't last forever. Mike Matheson is back in the lineup, and more returns could follow.

At some point, someone is going to have to come out, even if nobody wants to. That's where the debate becomes delicate. But if the points don't come, the "out of the lineup" discussion is eventually going to surface.

And this time, it won't just be fan infighting. The Canadiens don't need to shut him down, they need to get him going again. If he responds with a stretch of goals, everyone will turn the page.

If not, the pressure will continue to build on the hardworking Canadiens forward, despite everything No. 11 has accomplished in the past for Montreal.

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