The Montreal Canadiens are having a good time, but are about to face a real test as they face some of the NHL’s best teams over the next few days.
The Habs have won three games in a row for only the second time this season. He will look to extend his winning streak on Thursday when he visits the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes have suffered just one loss in regulation in their last 12 outings (10-1-1).
“It’s a very organized team, which plays at a high pace,” said Canadian head coach Martin St-Louis on Wednesday. She’s been playing like this for quite a while. We shouldn’t be surprised at the pressure they will apply. We will have to be ready, organized, connected as a team and engaged.”
The Hurricanes are ranked second overall in the NHL. The Habs will next visit the No. 5 Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday and the No. 3 New Jersey Devils on Tuesday before wrapping up a four-game road streak against the No. 24 Philadelphia Flyers. ), Friday.
“We’re focusing on one game at a time,” St. Louis said. We are preparing for the Hurricanes. We’re playing with confidence right now and we want to keep building what we’re trying to build.
“It is important to face challenges like these during a season. That’s what helps you grow as a team,” continued the Quebecer.
The Canadiens have won all three of their games since returning from the All-Star break. The defensemen provided six goals in those games, while the power play was 3-for-8.
Power Play
It may just be a coincidence, but the Habs’ power play has posted a 24 percent success rate in eight games since Cole Caufield was on the sidelines. The Canadian’s efficiency was 15.4 percent with Caufield in the lineup.
Forward Nick Suzuki declined to say the Canadiens’ power play might be less predictable without Caufield.
“[Mike] Hoffman is now the gunner on our unit. Every team has a player who has a better one-timer than the others, and the goal is to let them stand out,” Suzuki said.
The captain of the Canadiens added, however, that the personnel employed in massive attack had perhaps been a little more stable in recent weeks, which helps to develop cohesion between the players.
For his part, St-Louis explained that his troop was able to destabilize the opponent a little better.
“We’re starting to understand the different shorthandedness systems the opponent is using,” he said. You have to figure out how to crack their system and open the game for us. There are many ways to get there, but you have to understand the concepts to break it down. We are starting to understand that and find the holes.”
Hoffman and Evgenii Dadonov lead the Canadiens with three power play points each in the last eight games. The two possibly know their best moments of the season, they who have been reunited in Kirby Dach for a few meetings.
“With the injuries, you get better opportunities to show off,” Hoffman said. I also think our trio is starting to click.”
Hoffman and Dadonov are also among the players who could change addresses by the March 3 trade deadline.
“No matter what your situation is, you want to do your best for the team,” Hoffman said. Perhaps for some this situation is a distraction. But I’m a veteran in this league and the trade deadline is like Christmas. It comes back every year.”
In addition, Dach did not participate in the training of the Canadian, Wednesday. Instead, he enjoyed a day of treatment.
Forward Sean Monahan and defenseman Kaiden Guhle skated ahead of the group. Monahan also accompanied the team to Carolina to continue his rehabilitation.
Finally, St. Louis was unable to confirm the identity of the goaltender who would face the Hurricanes’ shots on Thursday.