While most Montrealers were getting ready for bed, Habs GM Marc Bergevin was hard at work trying to improve his team for a push to the playoffs.
During Tuesday night's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets Bergevin sent forward David Desharnais to Edmonton in exchange for defenceman Brandon Davidson.
The 31-year-old Laurier-Station, Quebec native had been plagued by injuries throughout the 2016-2017 season and had been a healthy scratch under new head coach Claude Julien.
Desharnais had 10 points in 31 games with the Habs this season.
"I believe in Davey. He's always proved people wrong and maybe he needed a change of scenery," Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty told reporters following Montreal's 1-0 overtime win over the Blue Jackets.
Montreal will retain 20% of Desharnais' $3.5 million cap hit in the deal.
Coming to Montreal is 25-year-old Brandon Davidson.
The Lethbridge, Alberta native had one assist in 28 games with the Oilers this season.
Not done there, Bergevin finalized a deal with the Detroit Red Wings for Steve Ott, a gritty veteran who will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. In exchange the Red Wings receive Montreal's sixth round draft pick in the 2018 NHL entry draft.
In 42 games this season the 34-year-old Summerside, P.E.I., native has three goals, three assists and 63 penalty minutes.