The Canadian in brief | Savard and Xhekaj found each other

(Raleigh) We are reaching the point of the season, with the Canadian, where practically everyone has played with everyone. On defense, no less than 13 different duos played at least 100 minutes together at five against five, according to the Money Puck website.

This does not prevent the coaching staff from still being lucky. This is what happened when Arber Xhekaj and David Savard were reunited on February 21 in Buffalo.

In seven matches since, this duo has been extremely effective. When both were on the ice, the Habs got almost two-thirds of the expected goals. The team also scored eight goals and allowed only two. Their association was particularly effective Tuesday in Nashville.

“They complement each other well,” said Martin St-Louis on Wednesday after the club’s training in Raleigh, where CH will face the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

“Savard brings a lot of calm, and that helps Xhekaj. He doesn’t look for a big check, which allows him to position himself better. […] We like what we see. That doesn’t mean it’s going to stay like that, but right now, it’s an effective pair. »

Samuel Montembeault noted that the two showcase their individual style without placing themselves in a vulnerable position. Their robustness also allows them to clear the enclave (“box out”) to allow goalkeepers to see shots from afar.

In short, things are going well.

Leave for Slafkovsky and Newhook

Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook were given time off from training on Wednesday. The organization said they were on a “processing day.” This is the second full practice in a row that Slafkovsky has missed, visibly bothered by an undisclosed injury. He also had a difficult outing against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. According to Martin St-Louis, both he and Newhook should play Thursday against the Hurricanes.

Montembeault in front of the net

Samuel Montembeault will be the starting goalie in Carolina. After a short slump, he has just delivered two very convincing performances. He first saved his teammates’ butts by giving them a victory against the Arizona Coyotes, then he lost in a shootout against the Florida Panthers. He stopped 68 of the 73 shots he received in these two games (.932).

When will we see Pezzetta again?

Usually, Martin St-Louis doesn’t like to keep his players out of training for too long. Michael Pezzetta has become the exception to the rule. Left out for the last seven games, he is currently going through the longest stretch without playing by a healthy skater this season. And it’s unclear when the energetic forward will return to action, barring an injury, a trade or the sending of a teammate to the minors – Joshua Roy, for example. “I like the performance of the guys who are playing now,” St-Louis simply explained. Let’s just mention that Jesse Ylönen has not obtained a single point in his last 18 games.