The Montreal Canadiens are not out of the woods yet, but at least they can count on some reinforcements when they face the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
Forwards Mike Hoffman, Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia no longer wore the famous jersey prohibiting contact on Monday on the ice at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, unlike the day before. These clues suggest that the three players could be in uniform against the Bruins.
“All three could play, but there’s also a fitness issue. These guys have been off the ice for quite a while, but we’re hopeful that we can count on them in Boston. However, we will have to wait after training tomorrow, see how they react, and make a final decision before the meeting. We will also have to take into consideration the guys who will join the team there, ”said head coach Dominique Ducharme by video conference.
The latter also indicated that Alexander Romanov, Jake Evans, Brandon Baddock and Louie Belpedio would join the club in Massachusetts, in addition to Cayden Primeau.
For his part, forward Josh Anderson was the only skater for the Canadiens to wear a no-contact jersey on Monday morning. Anderson, who has scored seven goals and amassed six assists in 25 games so far this season, has missed out on rehearsals with the Bleu-blanc-rouge’s usual lines.
The mood was high after a rather painful period during the holidays – due to the COVID-19 outbreak that rocked the team. The players took part in a few high-intensity two-on-two and three-on-three drills at the end of the practice.
“It’s different from a training camp, where the players come in and have already skated. Yesterday, they had to be allowed to touch the ice and find their legs. We increased that today, and tomorrow we will have yet another training to prepare for our match. We are therefore trying to do it gradually, ”explained Ducharme.
“’Dom’ and the staff did a great job yesterday to get us back our legs and our breath. Some guys had been out of the game for three weeks. It’s long, especially in the middle of the season like that. We took part in match simulations, to make sure that we are ready to play matches again, ”continued Chiarot.
In addition, attackers Paul Byron (league protocol for COVID-19) and Brendan Gallagher (lower body) were conspicuous by their absence. As for forward Jesse Ylönen, Ducharme said he had completed his five-day quarantine following receiving a positive test, but stressed he was still contagious. His return with the team will therefore have to wait.
On defense, Chiarot was paired with David Savard, while Sami Niku played alongside Chris Wideman, and Brett Kulak, with Corey Schueneman. As for Jeff Petry, Ducharme indicated that the veteran defender will join the team on Tuesday.
“Jeff will be back in Montreal this afternoon, and he should be training with us tomorrow. Then it will be necessary to assess the situation and determine in what physical condition he is. It’s the same for the other players who will join us in Boston, ”explained the CH pilot.
The fact remains that the one-week break decreed preventively at the Canadian to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 which shook him was beneficial for several players, including Chiarot.
“The summer has been very short, and this break has helped heal our little ailments and revitalize our spirits. It will do the guys who played last summer good. You have to learn something positive and take advantage of this break in the right way, in order to be ready for the second half of the calendar, ”said Chiarot.
Goalkeeper Jake Allen participated in a second straight training session, along with Samuel Montembeault.
The Canadian (7-23-4) suspended his activities the day after his last game, played on 1er January, a 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers. The break, necessary to contain the COVID-19 outbreak that hit the team at the turn of the New Year, ended on Saturday.
In addition, the Canadian ceded striker Jean-Sébastien Dea to the Laval Rocket at the end of the day, Monday.
The Habs will continue their fitness plan on Tuesday, in anticipation of a seven-game trip.