The Canadian once again finds himself in a situation where he must demonstrate what fuel he uses.
After two embarrassing losses of 6-2 against the Ottawa Senators and 9-4 against the Boston Bruins, the Montreal hockey club will try to get back on the winning path when it welcomes the Senators to the Bell Center on Tuesday.
“We have to bounce back,” insisted defender Mike Matheson on Monday. In the last two games we were far from the level we can play at. We have to look in the mirror and be ready to play. »
Matheson said the flight home from Saturday’s game in Boston was very smooth. After a day off on Sunday, the enthusiasm was back at training on Monday.
The team placed emphasis on backstop and defensive zone coverage.
“A lot of things are the result of what we do with the puck or mistakes in our coverage,” said head coach Martin St-Louis. These are not things we take lightly.
“We are not the type of team to allow 15 goals in two games. Sometimes you’re going to get a slap in the face. What matters is how you react,” he added.
The last two performances may have exposed defensive problems for the Canadian. However, the players noted that they should not leave in fear either and imagine that the team was back to square one in their learning.
“Sometimes games like these are going to get blown out of proportion,” Matheson noted. Martin said it, even if we had stayed in the game against Boston and won in overtime, there were some issues that would have needed to be addressed.
“During a long season, it’s important not just to look at the result. Even in victory, there are things to correct. And if things are not going well, you must not let the weight of defeats affect your confidence. We just have to continue to improve every day. »
Matheson also stressed that the Canadian should not stray from his identity by wanting to correct the defensive aspects of the game.
“I think the normal reaction would be to play more cautiously, but it’s a dangerous game,” he said. You will find yourself playing so as not to lose.
“Whether it’s the situation we’re in or when you’re leading by two goals, you can’t just play not to lose. It’s a difficult way to approach a match. Instead, you need to know what to improve and try to make the necessary adjustments. »
It is rare these days that two teams face each other in as short a time as the Canadiens and the Senators, who will meet again only five days after their last duel.
The mistakes made by the Habs on Thursday are still fresh in the players’ memories.
“One thing is certain, we will be ready,” insisted striker Rafael Harvey-Pinard. There’s not a guy who’s happy with our last performance against them. We are going to want to redeem ourselves with a good match and that starts with a good start in the first half. »
Jake Allen will have the task of facing the Senators’ shots. In his last outing, on January 15, he helped the Canadian beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-3.
The Habs have lost their last seven games against the Senators, but Allen was in net for only two of those losses.
“I think in general, they’re a better team than the rankings indicate,” St-Louis said. They have good offensive players and against a team with players who have these qualities, you have to be alert defensively. »
A little space in training
The Canadian announced early Monday afternoon that defender Justin Barron was transferred to the Laval Rocket and that forward Mitchell Stephens was placed on waivers.
The 31 other NHL teams have until Tuesday, at 2 p.m., to claim Stephens, otherwise he will be transferred to the Rocket.
Barron had played the Canadiens’ last three games after being left out of the previous two games against the Edmonton Oilers and the Avalanche. He will be on his first stay with the Rocket this season.
In 41 games with the Habs this season, Barron has collected six goals and as many assists.
For his part, Stephens was recalled by the Canadian at the beginning of December. He played 23 games with the big club and amassed two goals and an assist.
These maneuvers free up space in the Canadian’s formation for the possible return to play of winger Tanner Pearson.
The 31-year-old Ontarian trained again with his teammates Monday morning. He hasn’t played since Dec. 9 against the Buffalo Sabers due to an upper-body injury.
The Canadian did not immediately confirm Monday whether Pearson had received the green light to return to play.
A second place would also be available for a player recalled from the Rocket.
Furthermore, forward Sean Monahan did not participate in the Canadian’s training on Monday, instead taking advantage of a day of treatments.
Monahan also skipped his turn last Tuesday, during the club’s last full practice. In the meantime, he played in all three Habs games, accumulating six assists.