RALEIGH | The Canadian will open the second portion of his long seven-game trip with a stop in Raleigh, North Carolina. For this match, Jordan Harris will return to the game, while Johnathan Kovacevic will skip his turn for the first time this season.
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The newspaper gives you five things to watch out for.
1) The return of Jordan Harris
Absent for the last 15 games due to a lower body injury, Jordan Harris will return to action against the Hurricanes. Harris will skate to the right of Jayden Struble. Martin St-Louis will remove Johnathan Kovacevic from his lineup to make room for Harris. Before the visit to Raleigh, Kovacevic was, along with Mike Matheson, one of only two defensemen who had participated in every game this year.
“Struble plays with a lot of consistency and I like his behavior on the ice,” said St-Louis. He deserves to stay in training. »
At the start of the morning training, St-Louis whispered a few words in Kovacevic’s ear, probably to confirm the news. Kovacevic only played 12:11 against the Jets and 14:13 against the Wild.
By St-Louis’ admission, Kovacevic did not lose his place due to declining performance.
“It’s more Strub’s game than Kovy’s game,” the head coach replied.
2) A second start in a row for Primeau
Winning in his last start against the Blackhawks in Chicago, Cayden Primeau will defend the Habs cage for a second time in a row.
With Primeau in front of the net and Harris and Struble on the blue line, the Canadian will rely on three alumni from Northeastern University.
“I played with Jordan a few times at Northeastern, but not a ton of times,” Struble said. I’m happy to play with him. I found it difficult seeing him in the infirmary. I know many of our friends will be watching this meeting. »
“I couldn’t wait to get back to the game,” added Harris. I missed six weeks, but it feels more like three months. I didn’t believe this injury was so serious. We were surprised by the results of the magnetic resonance tests. »
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
Harris talked about his partner for this game against the Hurricanes.
“Jayden is playing well, making a great transition from college to the pros. Seeing three Northeastern alumni is also proof of the seriousness of this hockey program. When we played together in college, we joked that we were playing together in Montreal. Now this is reality. »
3) Treatments for Caufield
Cole Caufield did not participate in the morning skate. He was given time off work before undergoing treatment. However, he will be at his post against the “Canes”.
4) Kotkaniemi in neutral
Jesperi Kotkaniemi had a big start to the season with 6 goals and 13 points in his first 14 games. At 23, Kotkaniemi looked like he was establishing himself as an impact player. But perhaps it was just an illusion. The Finn has hit a wall since this thunderous start. He has only scored one goal and collected one point in his last 14 games. Rod Brind’Amour has less patience with his 23-year-old center. Brind’Amour has used him for less than 12 minutes in four of the last six games.
5) Aho: still a threat
If consistency is not a strength for Kotkaniemi, Sebastian Aho has this important card in his game. Aho is destined for another season of 80 points and more. In 32 games, the Finn has amassed 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists). He has written his name on the scoresheet 13 times (6 goals, 7 assists) in his last eight games.
The probable formation of the Canadian
Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Monahan-Evans-Anderson
Armia-Dvorak-Gallagher
Pezzetta-Stephens-Ylönen
Matheson-Savard
Guhle-Barron
Struble Harris
Primeau
Montembeault