Even if it is unimportant in the standings, the victory of the Canadiens on Thursday against the Washington Capitals was good for the fans.
It has also had the effect of a balm for some players – Joel Armia, in particular, an enigmatic player whose talent is undeniable, but whose consistency is still expected as he approaches his thirties. Nick Suzuki and Mike Matheson also took the opportunity to set new personal highs.
Listen to the full episode
Journalists Richard Labbé and Simon-Olivier Lorange, from The Press, wonder moreover, with Jérémie Rainville and Stéphane Waite of 98.5 FM, if the mood of Martin St-Louis is not (another) indication that it is time for the season to end.
Joel Armia is an enigma, I have rarely seen a player like that. You see a game like Thursday, you think he’s the talented guy we know. If it was December, I guarantee you the next three weeks, you wouldn’t see it.
Richard Labbe
In practice, someone who comes from another planet and sees Joel Armia, he thinks he is one of the best players in the NHL. He has everything ! But the problem is that we are still looking for the box to put all the elements together.
Stephane Waite
Are Matheson and Suzuki part of the elite of the NHL?
No, the elite is reserved for a very select club of players and we are not there at all. Matheson has his best season, if he makes four or five like that we can talk about elite.
Richard Labbe
No. They didn’t get there. Suzuki is in good progress, it is still 78e scorer in the NHL, and it’s our first scorer in Montreal. He didn’t get there. He’s a 47% center on face-offs. He’s not there, but he has good progress.
Stephane Waite
The priority in Ottawa is the owner, because everything starts from there. The instability is hurting the Senators. Uncertainty hurts, from the president to the concierge. It’s important to fix this. Afterwards, no doubt, even with Scotty Bowman behind the bench, you don’t win with a bad goalkeeper.
Stephane Waite
Episode details
Block 1
- 0:50 — A little balm to the hearts of fans and Joel Armia
- 14:10 — Ovechkin, a bad one in the system?
- 5:30 PM — Are Mike Matheson and Nick Suzuki now part of the NHL elite?
Block 2
- 10:40 p.m. — Strongly the end of the season, Martin St-Louis seems easily crumpled.
- 32:45 — Columbus plans to trade his 2e choice of 1er round (Kings, 25e), does the CH have to do the same for a transaction?
Block 3
- 39:00 — Ottawa officially eliminated after a 7-2 loss to Florida. What is the priority: a new coacha number 1 goalkeeper or a new owner?
- 47:40 — Marc-André Fleury, a 17e straight playoff season. Luck or fate?