Nobody pressed the panic button at the Canadiens, but there are few reasons for optimism after three games.
After a rather dismal camp, the Montreal team suffered defeat in their first three outings for the first time since the 1995-1996 campaign. What’s more, the Habs have only three goals on the clock.
“You never want to start a season with three losses in a row, but I think we had a good first game in Toronto,” said forward Jonathan Drouin after a 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday. at the Bell Center. In Buffalo, we had been terrible. [Samedi], we played our game more, but we took too many penalties, and they scored a power-play goal ”
“It’s hard to say it’s only three games. We want to win and start the machine, ”added the author of two of the Canadiens’ three goals this season.
In recent seasons, the trio of Phillip Danault, Tomas Tatar and Brendan Gallagher had the responsibility of putting the said machine in motion night after night. Otherwise, the team relied on Captain Shea Weber to straighten the bar or keeper Carey Price to keep the ship afloat.
But now Danault and Tatar evolve under other skies, while Weber takes care of his body and Price, of his mind.
“We definitely have a different look,” Drouin admitted. It takes a period of adaptation. We are counting on new players and new leaders. We can’t replace a Shea Weber or a Carey Price in the locker room, but I think there are plenty of guys who can take over. “
Among the club’s young leaders is Nick Suzuki, who is now under contract until the 2029-2030 is concluded after signing an eight-year, $ 63 million contract extension just before the start of the campaign. . After three games, Suzuki still hasn’t blackened the scoresheet, as has line-mate Cole Caufield, one of the favorites for the NHL Rookie of the Year award.
Head coach Dominique Ducharme mentioned that the two young stars may have been affected by the expectations placed on them by observers, fans and even team management.
“I’m going to sit down with them and discuss it,” Ducharme said. It’s easy to say you’re focusing on what you control, but when the puck is on the blade of your club, it can be a thought in your mind and affect your confidence. “
“On the other hand, you can be credited with a goal when the puck deflects onto your leg and starts off on a pitch. But if you don’t go to the areas where you can score this way, you won’t get those opportunities. “
After the setback against Rangers, Ducharme insisted that his players had to “be more dynamic” and have a better presence in front of the opposing net.
“On the other hand, for all scorers, it’s a matter of trust,” he added. “It only takes one goal. Players like [Tyler] Toffoli, Suzuki and Caufield, they need a goal and they can go for a momentum. “
“The things we control are our drive and our presence in net. Then the pucks will start to come in, and the confidence will come back. “
The Canadian is on leave on Sunday. He will resume training on Monday before hosting the San José Sharks on Tuesday. Jesperi Kotkaniemi and the Carolina Hurricanes are next on Thursday, followed by the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
Members of the Canadiens have to hope that things will fall back into place quickly and that the team can win a few games this week as the Habs will then take off for a four-game trip to the American West Coast, where they have rarely had a hard time. success over the years.