Sean Monahan has left and he will not return, at least not this season, but in the meantime, the Canadian still has one end of the calendar to play.
In total, there are still 33 games on the Canadian’s schedule between now and the last one, scheduled for April 16. There are starting to be a lot of matches without any real stakes, and apart from the abacus simulations, we wonder what we are going to do between now and that date.
The Canadian players have already found out: they are going to give the best of themselves.
“There is good energy in this locker room, everyone is happy to see each other again after the break,” explained captain Nick Suzuki on Monday in Brossard. Our team has always been like this: we keep it positive, we have a good state of mind. »
It will be necessary, because the next few days could be marked by other departures, after that of Monahan on Friday. Among others, there is the name of Tanner Pearson circulating in trade rumors – “I haven’t spoken [à Kent Hughes] “, he said on Monday – and then one day, Jake Allen will end up leaving.
But there is this inevitable reality that returns: there are still games to play, including Tuesday night in Washington against the Capitals, the Canadian’s first since his return from the All-Star break.
PHOTO CHARLES LECLAIRE, USA TODAY SPORTS
The Canadian will face the Washington Capitals this Tuesday evening.
“It’s hard to lose a teammate like Sean, especially a good player,” added Pearson. But we have to continue, and we have to continue trying to win our matches. »
Monahan’s departure obviously creates chaos in the Canadian’s center line; Martin St-Louis did not want to reveal his formation on Monday, but right now, his options are very slim at this position. Alex Newhook took part in Monday’s practice and will be in Washington with everyone, but will not be able to face the Capitals on Tuesday night.
In the meantime, others will have to do everything Monahan did.
Sean did a little bit of everything for us, and he did it very well. But he’s no longer here, and it’s up to us to take over. Sean played on the numerical advantage and took care of the face-offs on the left, but it’s a great opportunity for the others, me first. I need to be more consistent in attack and create more scoring chances.
Jake Evans
Nick Suzuki is also well aware of the void left by Monahan’s departure for Winnipeg.
“I learned a lot from him,” admitted the young striker. We will miss him, that’s for sure. His work on the penalty kill, what he could do in certain faceoff situations… but it’s also an opportunity for other players to show what we are capable of doing. »
Tuesday’s match will therefore be the start of the rest of the 2023-2024 season for this Canadian who perhaps aspired to better, but who still finds himself playing younger players with a view to an undecided future. Brandon Gignac, top scorer this season in Laval, will be sent into training, among others.
Martin St-Louis will stay the course.
“The coaches, we have to continue to manage on a day-to-day basis,” he explained. We still have to try to improve our collective game. It is our collective game that has often allowed us to be competitive this season; We’ve played in several games that were decided by just one goal, and for us, it’s a big improvement over last year. »
Montembeault against the Capitals
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Samuel Montembeault
A freshly tanned Samuel Montembeault will be back in front of the Montreal net on Tuesday evening in Washington. For him it will be a 24e meeting this season, of course a peak among Canadian goalkeepers. Like his teammates, Montembeault is preparing for life without Sean Monahan. “The players were talking about it among ourselves, it’s a big loss,” admitted the Quebec goalkeeper. But we also lost guys this season for other reasons, including Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, and it’s the same thing, others have to pick up the slack. In my case, no matter who is in front of me, I have a job to do. »