After 15 games, the Montreal Canadiens are in the game, because they proudly fight night after night.
The Montreal squad has been surprising since the start of the campaign. Her 8-6-1 record puts her in the heart of the playoff race. And while it’s still early in the season to get going, some factors behind the team’s success are encouraging for the rest of the calendar.
“We are in every game. We didn’t have a bad, bad game, defender David Savard said Monday. We show up every night and give ourselves a chance to win the game. The credit goes to everyone. »
In its seven losses, the Habs lost four times by one goal, if we exclude the opponent’s goals in an empty net. He also won three times when he allowed the first goal and twice when he was behind in scoring after two periods.
Canadian players never give up. They attribute much of this attitude to the fact that they enjoy working together.
“It’s nice to come to the arena and spend time with teammates,” said Kirby Dach, author of four goals and 10 assists so far in his first season with the Canadiens. The culture here is very good. Young people mix well with veterans. It is important. »
“We’re successful because the players are so close off the ice. I really believe it,” he added.
The contagious enthusiasm of the coaches contributes to creating a climate conducive to learning. The atmosphere at training clashes with what has been observed over the years, until last winter, when the defeats accumulated at a frantic pace.
“It was getting heavy at the arena, admitted Savard of the 2021-2022 campaign. It’s quite the opposite this season. After a loss or a victory, we go on the ice to work, have fun and improve. “Everyone arrives at the arena and wants to be there,” continued the Quebecer.
This positive environment has allowed Dach to flourish, especially since being paired with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. In seven games with them, he has collected 11 of his 14 points this season.
He also allowed the many young defenders to take their ease and establish themselves as important cogs in the team.
“There are going to be more difficult times, but we wanted to create an environment in which they could grow,” said head coach Martin St-Louis. The NHL is a tough league. It can get heavy. Our approach is to tell them it’s okay to make mistakes and keep working. »
“We want a family atmosphere in which they feel supported. We want players they can turn to on and off the ice. That’s what we have, and it’s important in a context where we rely on a lot of young players, ”added the former star player of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Allen is honored
On the other hand, the Canadian announced that goalkeeper Jake Allen was the winner of the Jean-Béliveau trophy for the 2021-2022 season. This trophy has been awarded annually since 2003 to a Habs player for his involvement in the community and for his dedication to reducing barriers to sports participation.
The trophy comes with a $25,000 donation from the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation to an organization of the honored player’s choice. Allen has chosen to donate this amount to the Jasmin Roy Sophie Desmarais Foundation to support its initiatives aimed at preventing and reducing bullying, discrimination and violence in schools.
In addition, forwards Joel Armia and Jonathan Drouin benefited from a day of treatment when the Canadian returned to training on Monday morning.
Armia and Drouin therefore did not accompany their teammates on the ice.
Both participated in the Canadiens’ 5-4 overtime victory on Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Drouin took the opportunity to collect help.
St. Louis said only that their availability for the next game against the New Jersey Devils would be reassessed on Tuesday.