The wait for Jake Allen is over. Fully recovered from an “upper body” injury, he will face the Detroit Red Wings this Thursday night at the Bell Centre.
The veteran has missed his team’s last eight games. In his absence, Samuel Montembeault took over full time.
The day before, Allen spoke at length with reporters and expressed a desire to secure at least one start before the long 10-day furlough that begins next Wednesday. The goalkeeper had also complimented his partner at length.1 Clear about his own status with the team, of which he will probably no longer be a part when the reconstruction is complete, Allen had notably identified Montembeault as an integral part of the future of the franchise.
“That’s gold,” said head coach Martin St-Louis, who was enthusiastic about the “healthy competition” between his two goaltenders.
“Becoming a leader is not given, it is something that is earned through the respect of your teammates, of the people around you. We need guys like that to help the next generation. »
Samuel Montembeault, in any case, appreciates it. Allen, he said Thursday morning after practice, is “one of the best teammates” he has had. “He is always there for everyone, he always has a good attitude and is always in a good mood, he listed. We are here to help each other. It really is a beautiful relationship. »
Last season, he recalled, Allen missed several weeks due to injury. Despite everything, after each of Montembeault’s departures, in victory as in defeat, he sent him a text message. “He didn’t have to do this, but I liked him. »
A “normal” game
After offering positive performances against the New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins – despite the loss in the latter case – the Habs return to a kind of normality by facing the Reds Wings, who are in danger of missing the playoffs yet again.
In the CH camp, we insisted that it was a match like any other. “All games are important,” said Michael Pezzetta. Especially when so many guys are missing from the roster, others want to show what they are capable of. »
Martin St-Louis conceded that clashes against leading teams encouraged his men to be more “alert”, especially at the start of the game.
“We have to make sure it’s the same [contre les Wings]. When you do that, you find consistency. It’s a group decision, and as coaches, we encourage the players to make that decision. »
The Habs will deploy essentially the same roster that held off the Bruins on Tuesday. Besides Allen’s presence in net, the only change will be in defense, as Johnathan Kovacevic will be left out in favor of Chris Wideman, who has missed the last five games.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.