“I knew (Gallagher) was somewhere in that area,� Eller said, downplaying his vision on the pass. “You try to push the puck forward and good things will happen.�

Indeed, they have for Eller, who reported to camp in the best shape of his life following his first healthy summer of training in three years; his two previous off-seasons, he was rehabbing from shoulder surgery.

Eller worked himself into game shape playing in Finland during the lockout and entered the NHL season with soaring hopes, only to be a healthy scratch in the Canadiens’ second and third games.

His confidence fragile, Eller met with Dr. Sylvain Guimond, the Habs’ sports psychology consultant, with profound results.

“Sylvain made the difference, no question,� he said, clearly emotional, the words catching in his throat as he considered a very personal journey that’s shaped his game and his life.

“I said back then (as a scratch) that things can change so quickly. I’ve seen it in the past. You’ve just got to stick with it. I’ve had a lot of help from my linemates and had some good chemistry with the players I’ve played with and it’s worked. It’s been working out for everybody, so I’m happy.

“Confidence is the most important thing in sports. That changed my career, right there,� Eller added of his sessions with Guimond. “I knew there was something to be unlocked, that there was something holding me back somehow.

“I did some work with a guy back in Sweden (last) summer, but Sylvain really got through to me in another way that made a difference. It was like he flipped a switch. He made me believe in myself.

“You never stop learning, I’m always going to be taking advice and looking for help from older players, the coaches, from wherever I can get it.�

Eller still works with Guimond from time to time, “whenever I feel the need to talk about something.�

But clearly, the young forward’s game has developed a voice of its own. He hits the playoffs on a roll, having scored twice and assisted on four more in his past three games.

“It can’t hurt, feeling good about yourself going into the playoffs,� Eller said.

“We’re as ready as we can be. We faced some adversity over the last couple of weeks. Winnipeg (a 4-2 win on Thursday) was a step in the right direction. Tonight was another step, we really got back to playing our game.

“We certainly don’t fear anybody, neither do we have any preference to meet any team,� he said about the playoff dance that’s about to begin. “It’s all about us. If you want to go all the way, you have to beat anybody. We really don’t care.�

The dismantling of the Maple Leafs was the product, Eller said, “of just our effort, working together as a unit, five guys taking time and space away from them. It’s really just playing our game and not adjusting to who you’re facing. The longer the game went, the more frustrated (the Leafs) got.�

With Gallagher and Galchenyuk, Eller is flying — probably out of necessity.

“They’ve got so much energy, those two, especially Gallagher,� he said. “They’re making strong plays and at the same time they’re reliable. The best thing is they’re working their asses off for the guy next to them. It’s a lot of fun to play with them.�