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Therrien sounds like he wants more of everything from Vanek

New York Rangers v Montreal Canadiens

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 12: Thomas Vanek #20 of the Montreal Canadiens skates during the warm-up period prior to facing the New York Rangers in their NHL game at the Bell Centre on April 12, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Rangers 1-0 in overtime. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

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The Montreal Canadiens didn’t get a great game from Thomas Vanek in Game 1 and with his history of success against the Boston Bruins, it came as a bit of a surprise.

Vanek had no points or shots on goal in 18:58 in the Canadiens’ 4-3 double-overtime win and judging by what Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said ahead of this afternoon’s Game 2, Vanek will need to show a lot more to impress him as Neil Davidson of The Canadian Press writes.

“One thing that’s not negotiable with our team ... work ethic is not negotiable, attitude is not negotiable and competing is not negotiable,” Therrien said. “This is something we ask from every player on our hockey team. We have to make sure that everyone brings those elements to every single shift and every single game.”

Therrien twice stressed he wasn’t talking specifically about Vanek, but the message seemed clear that’s who the message was intended for.

Vanek has a goal and two assists in the playoffs, but his performance in Game 1 against Boston wasn’t inspiring. When he’s at his best, he’s one of the top scorers in the league and that’s what Therrien and the Habs need from him against the league’s best team in the regular season.

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