(Kanata) It is difficult to determine how well the current players of the Canadiens knew Guy Lafleur, having crossed paths with him or simply having heard of his exploits.
Posted at 1:27 p.m.
The blond Demon will however be present in the team’s locker room this weekend.
Saturday night, the day after the death of the leading scorer in franchise history, the Habs will face the Senators in Ottawa. And as of Sunday, the Boston Bruins will be in Montreal, to add a chapter to the long rivalry between the two clubs, largely fueled in the 70s during the reign of Lafleur.
We won’t go so far as to predict that the famous number 10 will be mentioned in Martin St-Louis’ pregame speech. But the head coach has already warned that he spent “Friday evening watching highlights” of his childhood idol.
He did not hesitate to speak of a “presence” which will make the two duels of the weekend emotional.
“I feel it, the coaching staff feel it. Guy deserves to be thought of, ”he said Saturday morning after his team’s training.
31-year-old David Savard has never seen Guy Lafleur play. However, his father often spoke to him about it and, like all young hockey players from the province, he remembers having seen him “on every possible occasion”.
Photo François Roy, LA PRESSE archives
David Savard
He touched young people, people who didn’t have the chance to see him play. He represented hockey in Quebec.
David Savard on Guy Lafleur
There is no shortage of motivation for this clash against the Senators. The Canadian is trying to stop his current series of defeats at seven, all of them suffered in regulation time. In addition, we want to offer a first victory to Carey Price this season, he who has lost his three starts since he returned to the game at the end of last week.
“It’s definitely something we have in mind,” confirmed Joel Edmundson. He has overcome many hardships this season, it would mean a lot to give him the victory. »
It will still be necessary to manage to play, in the words of David Savard, “60 complete minutes”.
For some time now, it has indeed seemed that each match highlights a different shortcoming. And when we correct it, another appears.
“We have to go back to basics, trust our system and play our way,” summarized the Quebecer.
Price will find his net after a shaky performance on his part last Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The whole team was to blame for the 6-3 loss, including the goalie, who didn’t seem to be in his best form.
His outfit in the last game, however, has nothing to do with his future use, assured Martin St-Louis.
Photo Graham Hughes, The Canadian Press
Carey Price in the last meeting.
“We listen to Carey,” he said. He wants to prove to himself that he can play. When you haven’t played for a long time, your performance will take a little time to come back. It has nothing to do with us giving him the net back. However, Samuel Montembeault is expected to face the Bruins on Sunday.
St-Louis has made some changes to its formation. On offense, Michael Pezzetta will be in uniform replacing Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, who was transferred to the Laval Rocket after Thursday’s game. In defense, Jordan Harris will take the place of Kale Clague.
The game, played at the Canadian Tire Center in Kanata, will begin at 7 p.m.