Martin St-Louis remembers very well his only career goal against Patrick Roy. And if this is the case, it’s because it dates back to a time when everything was more “pure”.
St-Louis recounted that when he was 12 years old, his club, the Laval Senators, was selected to represent the Canadian at the Quebec pee-wee tournament. This selection was accompanied by participation in the Habs’ Humpty Dumpty practice, the ancestor of the Rona skills competition, which will take place this year on February 25.
“My team went on the ice and everyone had a breakaway attempt against Patrick,” St-Louis recalled on Wednesday. He made it easy for us, but he tried to spear the puck and I shot quickly enough to score. »
St-Louis remembers every detail of the event at the old Forum and the pleasure he had sharing the ice rink with his idol, Mats Naslund.
“It’s an experience that you don’t expect to have and you feel lucky to be able to experience that,” he said. I’ve had some great moments during my career, but I don’t remember every moment. But there are those special moments. These are often childhood memories because it is a phase of life where everything is perhaps purer. »
St-Louis, which celebrated the Habs’ Stanley Cup victories in 1986 and 1993 as a fan, is therefore well aware of the impact Roy had in Montreal and in the province. He also understands the excitement surrounding the visit of Roy and the New York Islanders on Thursday to the Bell Center, even though Roy had led the Colorado Avalanche three times in Montreal between 2014 and 2015.
“It’s a significant match and with good reason,” he said. Patrick Roy at the Bell Center behind another bench. […] I understand how the fans may feel. »
The Canadiens players are also well aware of the excitement surrounding the meeting, particularly the handful of Quebecers representing Sainte-Flanelle.
“I was at the Bell Center on Sunday and the security guard told me that all the restaurants around are no longer accepting reservations because it’s full,” said Samuel Montembeault, who will be in net for the Canadian.
Montembeault, who noted that he often wore the 33 in his journey in honor of Roy, hopes to see his teammates feed off the energy at the Bell Centre.
The Canadian has lost his last three games by a combined score of 19-7.
“During an 82-game season, you’re going to have ups and downs. We are certainly at a low right now, admitted Brendan Gallagher. It will be another opportunity to see what we are all about, another opportunity to grow as individuals and as a group. »
“The situation is not funny. We really haven’t delivered the goods in the last three games. But we must continue to progress. This is important for the future of this team. »
St-Louis did not want to confirm its plans, but everything suggested at training on Wednesday that it could again count on only three centers in its formation against the Islanders. It remains to be seen whether he will use a classic formation with 12 attackers and six defenders or if he will instead opt for a formation with 11 attackers and seven defenders.
The Canadian, however, ceded forward Joshua Roy to the Laval Rocket in the afternoon. Roy played six games in his first career stint in the NHL and had a goal and an assist.
Two absent from training
Defenders Mike Matheson and David Savard missed the Canadian’s training, instead taking advantage of a day of treatments.
Both players were in uniform on Tuesday, when the Canadian lost 4-1 to the Ottawa Senators.
Matheson has played in each of the Canadiens’ 47 games since the start of the season. He had seven goals and 25 assists.
For his part, Savard was limited to 25 games. He scored four goals and seven assists.