RALEIGH | The return of Rafael Harvey-Pinard to the lineup took many by surprise. In fact, it was seeing him come out of a team meeting in the morning, while the players who were supposed to be left out were on the ice, that tipped us off.
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Injured in the right leg following an accidental collision with Joel Armia, the pride of Arvida had to miss four to six weeks of activity. Finally, he will have participated in his first game a little more than three weeks after his name was placed on the injured list.
Photo Martin Chevalier
“Honestly, we were taking it one step at a time. So much the better if it’s a little quicker return. I’m just happy to come back and have the chance to play by the end of the season,” said the 25-year-old forward after the Canadian’s victory in Nashville.
We understand Harvey-Pinard being happy to put on his uniform again. The poor guy didn’t have any luck this winter. Injured at three different times during the season, he missed a total of 37 games. He now has 20 left to try to save his season.
“Its important to me. I want to end on a good note. It would be good for my confidence, he said. I’ll watch it one game at a time. I will give everything.”
What would also be good for his self-esteem is to mark the score sheet a little more often. After a successful campaign with 14 goals and six assists in 34 games last year, he was limited to just one goal (and six assists) this season.
However, if there is one thing we can be sure of, it is his determination. Since his arrival with the Habs, he has played each of his appearances with a high level of intensity.
End of season at the center
This was once again the case Tuesday night against the Predators. Without necessarily being exceptional, he did the job asked of him, pedal to the metal. His only problem was in the faceoff circles. He didn’t win any of his five duels.
“I have learned [mardi] morning that I was to play in the center, he indicated. There is work to be done on this side. I told the guys I was going to have faceoff practice with the centers tomorrow [mercredi].”
This is a wise decision, because it appears that Harvey-Pinard could end the campaign in this position. If he was able to return to the lineup, it was because Colin White’s name was placed on the injured list a few hours before the match.
Newest acquisition Kent Hughes suffered an upper body injury during Sunday’s practice when he collided with the net. We should know more about his condition in the coming days.