We must return to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. After receiving a lot of criticism lately, the Canadiens had a good week.
Knowing how essential the holiday season trip is for the rest of the season, the CH started things off with a great victory in Winnipeg. I liked the level of commitment from all the players. They need to repeat this kind of performance every game if they still want to be in the playoff race in March.
Last year, the journey was difficult, which ended the team’s hopes of making the playoffs. Most of the players in the current edition have experienced the failure of 2022. They must now learn from their experience. It’s off to a good start this time.
To continue to have success in the rest of their stay abroad, the players will have to have a playoff mentality, like against the Jets. It is also a sequence of seven games, like in the playoffs. And like in the series, you shouldn’t look at the top of the mountain from the start, but rather take it one step at a time.
Last week, Martin St-Louis insisted on the importance of playing inside the faceoff circles. His men answered the call, which is very encouraging.
There is nothing new in this concept. When I was in charge, I told my players that the vast majority of goals are scored in three ways: when the goalie doesn’t see the puck, when a shot is deflected and on a rebound. Of course, you sometimes see tic-tac-toes and beautiful games, but it’s rarer.
So it’s the same message as “playing from within”. To increase their chances of scoring, players must get their noses dirty and not hesitate to go where it hurts.
In professional sport, you always have to start again. It’s a big challenge to keep the level of engagement at its maximum in every match.
This is what allowed Josh Anderson to finally be rewarded. Even though he was out of fuel, he always maintained an impeccable work ethic. By persevering, he managed to get back on track.
Jayden Struble turns heads
Speaking of hard work, Jayden Struble worked hard with the Rocket before being called up by the big club. He jumped at the opportunity to show the extent of his talent.
We didn’t often hear about him, compared to another defender like Logan Mailloux, but we have to admit that Struble is capable of holding his own in the National League. The young man impresses me.
To make your way, you need someone who believes in you and who will give you a chance. It makes me think of the story of Francis Bouillon, a player in whom I always had great confidence and who followed me almost everywhere I went.
When I watch Struble play since his arrival in Montreal, I see that he is responsible in his territory, that he makes a good first pass and that he supports the attack well.
Struble is another example that proves that young people don’t waste their time in the American League. If they are progressing so much in Laval, it is thanks to Jean-François Houle and the entire Rocket coaching staff. They don’t get enough credit for my taste. Their excellent work ensures that each player recalled by CH shows that he can play at the highest level.
In closing, as this is my last column before Christmas, I would like to wish you all a happy holiday season. We’ll see you again in 2024!