(New York) It was a bit sad as the atmosphere for this return of the Canadian to Madison Square Garden. The Rangers are not immune to the drop in assists seen in the NHL.
Officially, 15,255 spectators were announced, even if, in fact, there were quite a few fewer people. And if we took into account the first period, it would have been better to announce 15,273 spectators, in order to add the 18 skaters of the Canadian.
The Montrealers indeed had an atrocious start, before recovering in the second half of the game. They nevertheless dropped the flag 3-2, to end this three-game trip with three more losses to their record.
Cayden Primeau would have deserved a better fate for his first NHL game of the season. He was the 18 guys in white watching at work in the first half. After 20 minutes the shots were 17-12 for the Rangers, but the quality of the New Yorkers’ shots had nothing to do with the easy saves CH gave Igor Shesterkin on the other end. In short, without the exploits of Primeau, this match could have been finished in the first intermission.
“He was good, he was solid, he was as good as the keeper on the other side. He made some big saves, ”said Dominique Ducharme, head coach of the Canadiens.
We will see in the highlights his stop of the mitten – made face down – at the expense of Ryan Strome, but Primeau especially showed good technical skills for a young man still in development.
In short, he demonstrated, the time of a match, that he can at least hold out while awaiting the returns of Jake Allen and Carey Price. Now does that mean he should keep doing it?
In itself, the answer is anecdotal, as it will only involve a few departures. Tuesday morning, Ducharme raised the possibility of a return on Saturday for Allen, who suffers from a concussion. As for Price, it’s not far-fetched to believe his return is a matter of weeks. Quite quickly, there will be no more room in Montreal for either Primeau or Samuel Montembeault. It will continue in Laval for Primeau, in a location to be determined for Montembeault.
But it is the management of Primeau between now and then that will be interesting. You have to be dangerously optimistic to believe the team with a 4-12-2 record can get back into the playoff race. Knowing this, would it not be better to send Primeau back to Laval, to get him out of an environment that we do not guess very happy, so that he can at least help the Rocket who, for his part, has a real chance of participating? to the series? Or will anyone deem any NHL experience, at his age, to be good, even in a losing environment?
“You never know, nothing is guaranteed to you. You’re just trying to squeeze the maximum chances you get, Primeau argued, after his 31-save performance. There is a struggle between all the guardians of the organization. Even in Laval, Michael McNiven and I have a friendly competition. ”
Either way, just having this discussion is a victory in itself for Primeau. It’s only one game, but he looked significantly more confident than the keeper who showed .849 efficiency in four games last season.
The contribution of young people
Jake Evans had just bragged about Primeau when he was questioned about Michael Pezzetta’s fight against Ryan Reaves, one of the most feared strongmen in the NHL.
“This is another youngster coming in, filling a role and giving us energy,” Evans replied.
“Another kid”… Evans didn’t include himself in this group, but let’s do it for him. He and Primeau were probably the two best CH players in this loss, which is not exactly good news for Ducharme. Because it’s a sign that its veterans are looking for each other.
The head coach spoke generally of Nick Suzuki’s trio, saying they’ve had “ups and downs”. Suzuki’s dips are easier to apologize for, he who has carried the team at times this season. Brendan Gallagher played with his usual energy and manufactured a goal on his own. But the other member of the trio, Tyler Toffoli, seems to quietly fall back into his October torpor.
Jeff Petry is another for whom it cannot be replaced. His management of the puck remains hazardous, which poses a problem for a player who is defined in particular by his talent in puck transport.
Josh Anderson has certainly scored, but generally speaking, we don’t see the impact player we saw last season.
In fact, the veterans are more noticed for their gestures of frustration, whether it is the few shouts observed on the bench in recent weeks, Anderson who fights with Jacob Trouba at the final siren, or Gallagher who ends up killing a good mornifle. in the face of Barclay Goodrow 30 seconds from the end of the match.
“I think he wanted a penalty assessed on the other guy,” said Evans. Gally was frustrated at the end, and the whole team was too frustrated at the end. It’s frustrating and we try to get out of it. ”
In details
A goal that was long overdue …
Christian Dvorak had been sold to us as a less effective defensive player than Phillip Danault, but much more offensive. However, his goal on Tuesday ended an 11-game scoreless streak. It was only his second goal of the season, for a player from whom it was reasonable to expect a good 20 goals. “I was disappointed with my game this season. If I could have contributed more to the attack, we would have more victories at the moment, ”said the American, after the game. Dvorak welcomed the return to the game of Jonathan Drouin, who has returned to his left, where he has been in camp and at the start of the season. It will obviously be a plus for CH if the cohesion between these two and Josh Anderson can return.
It continues for Kreider
Even though he’s paid off as a 30-goal scorer, Chris Kreider never hit the magic number. Twice he’s stopped at 28, and in the pandemic shortened season, he totaled 24 in 63 games. The 2021-2022 season could be a good one for the fast winger, as long as he stays healthy. In the second half, he put on his 12e of the season, at its 16e match. And above all, he did it on a level playing field, he who already has seven power-play goals. Obviously, if Mika Zibanejad always gives him such good lift passes, he will not have to fear that his offensive production wanes. However, he will not always be able to count on opposing defensemen as benevolent as Jeff Petry, who passively watched the puck pass …
Fox is more than an attacking defender
Adam Fox’s selection as the winner of the Norris Trophy last season was lamented by some, who saw it as another trophy given almost automatically to a defender who shows good offensive stats. Fox has indeed finished 2e for points among defenders last year with 47. That said, the skillful player has shown in this game that he is not as one-dimensional as we might think. He notably stood up to big Josh Anderson in an individual battle, and stood out by blocking a dangerous shot from Ben Chiarot in the middle of the match. It was one of five shots he blocked, for a total of 35 since the start of the season, a number rarely so high for attacking defenders. In short, Fox helped his team win even without getting a point.
They said
The first and third is execution, we have the puck. We work hard enough to get the puck back, once we have it we have to keep it. We have to play games that don’t come back against us. I can think of a system for that, but I don’t have one, you understand?
Dominique ducharme
It is still the same result. In general, we play pretty good hockey. We still make small mental mistakes, they happen and we get goals scored. It hurts us against teams who have talent and who can play games that we don’t think possible.
Jake evans
I saw him fight against bigger ones than him too in the AHL, he’s tough, he’s going to go against anyone to send a message. It’s not an easy job, I have a lot of respect.
Evans, on Pezzetta
You can see on the repeat, I wasn’t sure if he was serious. I took it for granted that he knew how to fight.
Ryan Reaves, on Pezzetta
In the past, I have often scored goals around the net, on returns or deflections. But there, I was not able to do it. I had several occasions. I must perform better.
Christian Dvorak
On the rise: Jake Evans
He drove what was by far the best line of the Canadian. As a bonus, he had a good face-off night (62%).
Down: Jeff Petry
Sunday in Boston, he was unlucky. This time he just pulled it off, again. The offensive production is gone, but soft covers like the one on the Rangers second base are inexplicable.
The number of the match: 1
Christian Dvorak took only one face-off in the offensive zone, against 13 in the defensive zone. This role is his due, because he is the best center of the team in this aspect of the game, but it also means that his wingers are deprived of good offensive opportunities.