(Montreal) Martin St-Louis admits to being the type of person who always sees the glass half full.
Posted at 8:16 a.m.
The head coach of the Montreal Canadiens is therefore delighted to see that his first line has been working at full speed for a few games. And he’s not too worried about the club’s other attackers being unable to find the back of the net.
Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Kirby Dach have scored six of the Canadiens’ last seven goals. Since the start of the season, Suzuki and Caufield have each scored eight goals for a total of 16. All other Habs players have scored 18, including the NHL’s first successes of defensemen Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj.
This means that the production of Suzuki and Caufield is the same as the 13 other attackers of the club after 12 meetings.
“Yes, I see that as a positive element,” said St-Louis after the Canadiens’ 6-4 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night. We would be in the same situation if all the other forwards produced, but not the first line. My experience as a player in the NHL tells me that it’s hard to have everything in place at the same time.
“We’re going to keep helping the guys who know they need to produce more. »
For his part, Suzuki said he was comfortable with the idea of sometimes having to carry the team on his shoulders.
“The other guys get chances, but the puck doesn’t fit,” said the Canadian who leads the Canadiens with 15 points so far this season. But there’s a reason we’re the top three. We have to produce. If we don’t produce, we don’t help the team win. »
Dach was placed alongside Suzuki and Caufield last Saturday when the Canadiens defeated the St. Louis Blues 7-4. In four games, they amassed nine goals and 13 assists.
After trying several experiments since the start of the campaign, St-Louis seems to have found the ideal player to complete its two stars.
“Kirby has good touches. He’s a good playmaker, St-Louis noted. He’s able to help the game move forward, to get the puck where it usually needs to go.
“Kirby is able to see where the best play is,” he added. Good players find the best play to make instead of just making a play. He helps Cole and ‘Suzy’ (Suzuki) play in space, get more time in the offensive zone. So far, I like what I see from this trio. »
After watching the wingers do the revolving door to his right since the start of the season, Suzuki said he hopes Dach continues to play with him and Caufield. Suzuki said this should help continue to develop cohesion between the three.
He is aware, however, that St. Louis could eventually separate them in hopes of reviving other players. Moreover, St. Louis said after the meeting on Saturday that he continued to evaluate Dach’s work from game to game.
The Canadian was enjoying a day off on Sunday. He will resume training Monday before heading to Detroit for a game against the Red Wings on Tuesday. The Habs will be back at the Bell Center on Wednesday, when the Vancouver Canucks will be the visitors.