The Canadian continues to overcome the frustration, as results are slow to come this season. The Montreal squad picked up just one point out of a possible six on their most recent trip, despite honest efforts.
“It’s frustrating in the sense that, yes, we don’t play perfectly, I agree that we make mistakes and we have to be better, but it’s often execution errors that make us give chances to the other team. We cannot say that there is a lack of effort and commitment, ”said head coach Dominique Ducharme.
“We fall short of a goal or a leap. It’s frustrating. But I liked the energy of the players on the ice today. We are working to improve ourselves, ”he continued.
Frustration ended up sweeping forward Brendan Gallagher on Tuesday night in a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers.
Late in the game, while the Canadian was trying to create a tie, Gallagher punched Barclay Goodrow, who fell on the ice. Gallagher was punished for rudeness, and the NHL’s Department of Player Safety fined him US $ 2,500 for his action on Wednesday.
“I expected this [l’amende], but I think he did comedy, Gallagher defended. Most players are too proud to do this. “
“I think the line is thin. You want to play emotionally, but you can’t cross that line, Gallagher added. You want to be engaged in the game, and the physical aspect is part of the game, but you have to use that in a positive way and not waste your emotions and energy on things that are not important. “
The Canadian will take over on Thursday, when he will host the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Center.
Small consolation for the Canadian, he has acquired three of his four victories this season in front of his fans. “We are not going to give up. We showed up this morning with great energy. We obviously approach every game with the intention of winning it, Ducharme insisted. It’s frustrating when the effort is there, but not the result. “
“We know there are aspects of our game that we need to improve and we are working every day to do so. We are in the game every night, but we have to do even better to tip the scales in our favor, ”he added.
The Canadian also lost the services of center Adam Brooks through the waiver. The Las Vegas Golden Knights have claimed the 25-year-old Manitoban.
In four games with the Canadiens, Brooks has collected an assist. The Habs had claimed it on waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 11.
From action to the infirmary
The Christian Dvorak center was not on the ice rink at the Bell Sports Complex on Wednesday at noon. After scoring a goal and assist against the Rangers, Dvorak enjoyed a day of treatments.
Dominique Ducharme provided updates regarding several players on the sidelines.
Goalkeeper Carey Price skated solo in Brossard on Monday, taking a first step towards his eventual return to play. Price is recovering from knee surgery and is continuing a gradual reintegration program after spending 30 days in a nursing home. drug addiction treatment.
Defender Joel Edmundson is expected to meet his teammates on the ice on Saturday morning, but will have to avoid contact. Edmundson has been annoyed since the start of camp with an injury, the nature of which has not been disclosed.
Forward Cédric Paquette still has “a week to 10 days” to recover from another injury, the nature of which has not been disclosed.
Finally, Mathieu Perreault had to undergo a second operation on his right eye for a problem with retinal detachment. His return to the game was therefore delayed for two weeks.