(Nashville) With all the Canadiens injured, especially and especially in key positions, logic would like other players to take the opportunity to stand out. It is not so much that the misfortune of some should make the happiness of others. But it’s a bit like that anyway.
That’s more or less what happened in that game in Nashville, which ended in the Canadiens’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Predators.
If we say “more or less” is that, inevitably, the simultaneous loss of Jeff Petry, Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson can only have consequences on the rest of the formation. Mike Hoffman’s return has been welcome on offense, but nothing in his game replicates the intensity Gallagher and Anderson bring in a game.
Under these circumstances, no less than five players have reached a career high for minutes played in season: defenders Ben Chiarot (29:26), David Savard (25:32) and Alexander Romanov (24:24) , as well as forwards Nick Suzuki (24:4) and Jake Evans (19:37).
Certain circumstantial elements have boosted these figures, in particular the five penalties which the CH received. The five players listed above, in fact, are employed in shorthandedness, phase of the game where no goal has been awarded. Definitely worth a star in the notebook.
However, with the exception of Romanov and Evans, two less experienced players who are rapidly gaining ground this season, they were expected customers. Chiarot and Savard are by default the two pillars of a wobbly defense. And Suzuki, we have been saying since the start of the season, is already the great leader of this team in attack.
So there was something a little surprising to hear Dominique Ducharme say that “everyone” had more responsibilities.
Verification done, nothing is less true. Christian Dvorak, Cole Caufield, Matthieu Perreault, Artturi Lehkonen, Michael Pezzetta, Chris Wideman and Mattias Norlinder all had less than their pre-game ice time. Tyler Toffoli and Ryan Poehling barely played more than usual. Jonathan Drouin and Brett Kulak each added over a minute to their usual usage, mostly due to overtime.
There remains Mike Hoffman who added 2 min 25 s to his average workload. We’re happy for him, but the fact that he’s a one-dimensional player limits the additional contribution he can make in critical situations.
The case of Kulak is particularly interesting. Clearly more reliable than Wideman and Norlinder, the veteran appeared to be the logical candidate for promotion in defense. He got one by playing heavily on the shorthanded, usually banned from special teams. And, by supporting the attack, he scored a nice goal that gave his team a lead in the third period. But it is obvious that he does not qualify for the circle of trust.
Get up
There are therefore few, if any, candidates who seem, under the circumstances, to “stand up”, with the exception of the five deserving students mentioned at the beginning of the text: Suzuki, Evans, Chiarot, Savard and Romanov. The communicating vessels are in operation, but thanks to the same contributors as usual.
After the game, Suzuki said he did not “notice” that he had played more than usual. Regardless, he loves “spending a lot of time on the ice”.
Fortunately, because of the responsibilities, there will be some to take by the end of the season, perhaps even more as long as one continues to use Evans in the wing and not in the center. Poehling has been doing good things since his recall from the American League, but playing in the top 9 is, for the moment, a lot to ask him. His trio had a very bad night against that of Mikael Granlund.
Suzuki, on the other hand, not only played a lot, he played well. His power-play goal shattered a 10-game lethargy. It was also his first on the road this season.
Regardless of the amphitheater, the young man said he especially wanted to contribute to the success of his club. In particular, he wants to shoot more towards the net, which is a great idea when you see the quality of the shot he served Juuse Saros. He ultimately hopes that this goal will allow him to restart on a regular basis.
We wish it too. Because if he inherits even more important missions while waiting for the infirmary to empty, the Canadian will need him to convert his chances.
This, to paraphrase Dominique Ducharme, is otherwise true for everyone.
In details
Kunin had fun
But yes, we know that a Gordie Howe hat trick does not accurately reflect Mr. Hockey’s career. However, let’s honor the formula agreed to emphasize that Brett Kulak went to an assist to achieve the trifecta goal-help-fight. Luke Kunin of the Predators can add this feat to his resume, however. The striker, author of the equalizer, has also had a strong match, distributing three checks. Does his name mean little to you? This is quite normal, if you especially watch the matches of the CH, since he had previously obtained a meager point in seven career games against the Montrealers. At 24, Kunin takes on the most important responsibilities of his young career these days, as he completes a trio with Ryan Johansen and Eeli Tolvanen. “His physical play as well as his ability to score goals and be a tough opponent […] make him a great player, ”said head coach John Hynes after the game.
With no helmet
In all companies, without exception, the new administrations systematically bring about changes of varying scope in the short term. At the Canadian, the arrival of Jeff Gorton was manifested by the relaxation of a rule imposed under Marc Bergevin: that of wearing the helmet during the warm-up period. For the first time in a long time, nine CH players jumped onto the ice, hair in the wind. It’s unclear, however, whether the idea was Gorton’s or the players’. Discussions were held at the NHL Governors’ Meeting in 2019 to make it mandatory to wear helmets at all times. The risks for the skaters of being hit by a puck or of colliding with another player were then cited. Obviously, the file did not proceed. On social networks, supporters joked that the Habs had too many injuries in their training to risk losing additional soldiers accidentally. It’s funny, because it’s true.
Clague in reinforcement
In the simultaneous absence of Joel Edmundson and Jeff Petry, and as Sami Niku contracted COVID-19, the Canadian was in dire need of reinforcement on the blue line. The Habs new vice-president of hockey operations, Jeff Gorton, found some by claiming Kale Clague, 23, on waivers. Whoever lined up with the Los Angeles Kings until then will join his new team in Montreal on Monday. The left-hander, often employed on the right, was a choice of 2e tower (51e overall) of the Kings in 2016. He has 5 assists in 11 games this season. The Saskatchewanian has had a brilliant junior career, participating twice in the World Championship, each time under the orders of Dominique Ducharme. He had been lucky enough to show off this season in Los Angeles, with injuries to Drew Doughty and Sean Walker. However, he failed to convince the Kings to make him a regular in their top 6. Ducharme, after the match, spoke of a player who “skates well” and who, without being “the biggest” – he measures 6 feet and weighs 177 pounds -, “defends well”, thanks in particular to an “excellent stick. “. The coach also highlighted his offensive qualities, fueled by his ability to efficiently move the puck.
They said
I enjoyed our second period. They gave us a hard time in third. I liked our effort. We were close to winning, we were there. Unfortunately, we did not go after the second point.
In general, we fought well during the match. It was a very physical game.
Dominique ducharme
[Jake Allen] made big stops. We could have lost the game in the third period, but he stood up. He’s been doing it all season.
Nick suzuki
In overtime, it can go both ways. Both teams had chances. Collectively, we’ve been heading in the right direction for a few games.
Nick suzuki
Rising
Cole caufield
One of the young man’s good performances this season, even though he hasn’t scored. A rare good chance to score on the power play and a superb pass on Kulak’s goal.
Falling
Mattias Norlinder
None of his 10 appearances really caught our attention, except the one where he received a solid check from Tanner Jeannot early in the game.
The number of the match
39.1
It was the 11e in a row that the Canadiens have allowed 30 or more shots, and the fifth time in the interval that they have conceded more than 40. In fact, since the start of this streak, which began on November 13, CH has dominated the NHL by having gives away an average of 39.1 shots to the opponent per game.