After a preparatory schedule marked by dangerous gestures, the Montreal Canadiens are finally preparing to begin their campaign on Wednesday evening, when they will host the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre.
Habs management reiterated that they wanted to see the team be “in the mix” until late in the season. The players are ready to demonstrate that they can do even better.
But to achieve their goals, the members of the Canadiens will have to continue to follow the teachings of head coach Martin St-Louis.
“We’re not the same young team we were two or three years ago,” captain Nick Suzuki said Tuesday. We have higher expectations of ourselves. We must take our responsibilities even more seriously. Our mistakes will not be judged in the same way. »
Management did not make any major changes during the off-season. The biggest acquisition was forward Patrik Laine, who is sidelined for the next two to three months with a sprained left knee.
Of the 18 skaters who faced the Maple Leafs at the start of the campaign last year, 12 should be in the Canadian’s lineup again on Wednesday evening.
Rather than looking for a lot of help elsewhere in the NHL, the Habs focused on the continuity and progression of its young core.
“It shows in the collective play, offensively and defensively,” said St-Louis. We grew up together. We learned to play together, in all facets of the game. With more repetitions, you get better. »
St-Louis has always wanted to take it one step at a time since his appointment in February 2022. He noted he made adjustments in his defensive system and said he was encouraged by what he saw at five-on-five during the camp.
“We focused on the defensive zone and the fallback. We want to defend better as a team, explained Suzuki. It will make life easier for our goalkeepers. »
Quebecer Samuel Montembeault will be the Canadian’s starting goaltender on Wednesday against the Maple Leafs. We can expect Cayden Primeau to get the start the next day against the Bruins in Boston.
St-Louis did not want to go too far regarding the use of its goalkeepers this season.
“They gave us good performances last season,” he said. We are comfortable with both. Sam has separated himself from the group a bit in the last two years, but that doesn’t mean he will be number one for the entire season. »
“We will manage the schedule based on their performance,” added St-Louis, while affirming that if Montembeault played around 50 or 55 games, it would be a sign that he “is doing a very good job”.
“I wish him that. That would mean that he continued to progress,” underlined St-Louis.
Montembeault also indicated that no plan had been established for the entire season. However, he said he was honored to play in the opening game for the first time in his career, having played in the local opener against the Chicago Blackhawks last year.
“It’s very stressful,” admitted Montembeault. You want to do well in the first game. I’m going to try to use the energy of the crowd to have a good game and help the team win. »
Defenseman Jayden Struble will be left out against the Maple Leafs. He is dealing with an upper body injury and his state of health will be re-evaluated on a daily basis.