The Canadian | Richard as backup, Matheson at home

(Tempe, Ariz.) While the arrival of Anthony Richard is likely to inject some energy after three straight losses, the Canadiens took off with a minimal roster for their three-game trip away from Montreal.

The team revealed that defender Michael Matheson stayed home. Slowed down by a “lower body” injury, he will be absent for “an indefinite period”. The bad luck accumulates for the one who has played only 10 of the 31 matches of the CH so far. An abdominal injury suffered in training camp deprived him of the first 17 games. A second, undisclosed injury caused him to miss four more duels. His return last Saturday only lasted one match.

In his absence, the Habs only have six healthy defenders. These, logically, will all be in uniform this Monday evening in Arizona against the Coyotes.

Center Sean Monahan hasn’t followed the team on the road either, meaning only one forward will be left out. It was Michael Pezzetta who was the unfortunate elected, which means that Anthony Richard, freshly recalled from the Laval Rocket, will be there.

It will be his third game in the NHL, but his first in the blue-white-red uniform. He hasn’t played at this level for three years.

The Quebecer will complete the fourth line, to the left of Jake Evans and Joel Armia. This chance offered to him rewards the strong campaign he had known until then on the offensive level with the Rocket, of which he is the leading scorer with 31 points in 27 games.

Calm and visibly in full control of his faculties, Richard confessed that he had been expecting to be called back for some time, although he was trying not to torture himself with the wait. At 25, given his experience, he knew “it was a matter of time”, he said.

He admitted to being feverish – “it’s normal, the NHL is a childhood dream, you want to do well” – but not being too nervous. The fact that he has already touched the NHL helps to mitigate the novelty effect.

The one whose speed is the main asset says he is ready to play both an offensive and defensive role, depending on what he is asked to do. “My style can adapt,” he said.

“I’m able to play in traffic, be tough on the puck and go around corners,” he said. If I am given the chance to prove myself offensively, I have the ability to do so. As proof, in Laval, he scored 18 goals in just 27 games, already surpassing his 17 goals in 71 games last season.

After morning practice, defender Jordan Harris spoke of the “energy” Richard carried with him. “We will all be behind him tonight,” he promised.

“A little confidence and an offensive touch won’t hurt us,” said Jake Evans.

Head coach Martin St-Louis did not speak at length about his new player, stressing that he “brings speed” and that, given his success in the American League, “he deserved to be remembered”.

St-Louis, however, assured that Richard would have the chance to “force the hand of the coaches”.

“It’s up to him to take the ball and not give it back,” he said. I’m sure he’s packed. I can’t wait to see what he can bring us. »

Samuel Montembeault will defend the Canadiens’ net for this game, which will begin at 10 p.m. Quebec time.