It’s been a long summer for the Canadiens players, after another campaign without participation in the playoffs, and the Montreal club’s players are eager to fight night after night with the goal of demonstrating that they continue to progress.
The Habs will begin their season on Wednesday by facing the Maple Leafs in Toronto.
At the end of a relatively ordinary camp for his two veteran goalkeepers, head coach Martin St-Louis decided to send the most experienced into the fray: Jake Allen.
““Monty” [Samuel Montembeault] is going to be one of the successes this season, we know it. But for the first game, I think Jake gives us the best chance to win,” explained St-Louis.
Allen, 33, will be playing his sixth career opening match, and his third in a row with the Canadian.
“It’s always special. If you’re not a little nervous or excited before the opener, you probably need to get checked out,” said Allen, who mentioned learning he would be the starting goalie Monday.
Allen played only one and a half games during the preseason, and he allowed 6 goals on 41 shots.
For his part, Montembeault gave up 9 times out of 58 shots in approximately 130 minutes of play. He could defend the Canadian’s net on Saturday, during the local opening against the Chicago Blackhawks, as we expect a certain alternation between goalkeepers this season.
Cayden Primeau could also get playing time, since management has decided to keep him with the big club rather than risk losing him on waivers by demoting him to the Laval Rocket.
“It will be different for all three of us, but we get along well,” Allen admitted. Whoever plays must give everything for the team. For the rest, training management is a little different, but that’s how it is. »
“I want to be someone they can trust,” he added. Sometimes when you need a little encouragement, a few words can change everything. It will be an additional responsibility for me, but it’s something I enjoy. »
The Canadian will once again count on one of the youngest teams in the NHL this season.
On defense, only David Savard and Mike Matheson have more than 100 games of NHL experience among healthy players. On the offensive side, the spotlight will be on young sensations Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Kirby Dach.
“Confidence is important,” said forward Josh Anderson. Most of our young players now have at least one season of NHL experience. They know the league. »
“They are more relaxed and calm, and that translates into confidence on the ice. I think we got to see that during camp. Our young people played well,” he added.
For a handful of dollars
Defender Arber
Xhekaj was demoted Monday evening, when it was expected that it would be striker Joel Armia who took charge of Laval. Armia had not been claimed on waivers earlier in the day.
However, this decision would allow the Canadian to obtain greater relief on his payroll, when the name of goalkeeper Carey Price will be placed on the long-term injured list.
However, this deprived Xhekaj of training with the group on the eve of the Habs’ first match of the season. Could this absence lead St-Louis to leave him out of the lineup against the Maple Leafs? The answer remains uncertain, but it would be surprising if the colossus missed this meeting.
Everything indicated, however, that Xhekaj would be recalled after 5 p.m. Tuesday and that he would join his teammates in Toronto in time for the match. Armia was to be transferred to the Rocket in anticipation of the Habs’ school club’s training on Wednesday.