MONTREAL -- Ben Maxwell gave the Canadiens a chance Tuesday night to see what they gave up first hand.
The 22-year-old forward played his fourth consecutive game, and sixth overall, with the Thrashers since he was acquired in a trade with Montreal on Feb. 24. The deal sent defenseman Brent Sopel to the Canadiens.
“I guess I have a little something to prove,” Maxwell said before the game. “I’d never been traded before, so it was a shocker to me, and I didn’t know what to expect. Now that I’m in the lineup, it’s going to be fun to play against the old team and try to get a [win].”
Maxwell played in 20 games over two seasons with the Canadiens, including 13 last season, without a point. His first NHL points came in Sunday’s win over the Senators, when he had a goal and an assist. The Montreal media pointed out to Maxwell that his point total in that game was more than the entire Canadiens team over the past three games, all shutout losses.
“One game doesn’t make a career,” Maxwell said. “I have to keep putting the puck in the net to stick around.”
Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay hoped to get the same spark from Maxwell going against his former team as Rob Schremp delivered Thursday against the Islanders when he scored the game-winning goal.
Sopel will face the Thrashers for the second time since last month’s trade. He missed seven games because of injury, but has played the past three.
Stewart not with team
Anthony Stewart did not accompany the Thrashers to Canada because of a travel-documentation issue. The forward will rejoin the team in Philadelphia for the second leg on the three-game road trip.
Stewart likely would not have played against the Canadiens after being a healthy scratch Sunday against the Senators.
“I thought we played a solid game the other night,” Ramsay said. “You don’t want to get out of the lineup for whatever reason. He was out of the lineup and we played a good game, so the guys deserve the chance to play again.”
Pavelec back
Ondrej Pavelec started in goal after missing the past three games in favor of Chris Mason. The Thrashers went 2-1 in Mason's three starts as he stopped 61 of 68 shots.
“We trust all of our players," Ramsay said. "[Mason] had a great run. He wanted to play. He wanted to be that guy, but we need to play everybody.”
Pavelec said he worked to be ready when called upon.
“I didn’t play, so I tried to get some shots and be in game shape and be ready whenever they tell me to play,” Pavelec said.
Playing hurt
Ramsay said there are several players with injuries who could be shut down for the season if or when the Thrashers are eliminated from the playoff race.
“This time of year there are guys playing, and you wonder if they should," Ramsay said, "but they want to play. They are a great group that way. We’ll give them the opportunity, but if things don’t work out, we are going to be careful with some [players].”
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