After providing a good effort against the stars of the Edmonton Oilers, the Montreal Canadiens will have to repeat the same thing Monday evening, when the Colorado Avalanche will visit the Bell Centre.
The Habs limited Connor McDavid to an assist on the power play Saturday night in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Oilers. For his part, Leon Draisaitl scored at five on five, in addition to also collecting an assist on Evan Bouchard’s winning goal.
Despite the defeat, head coach Martin St-Louis highlighted the quality of his players’ commitment against opposing star players.
Everything will have to be done again on Monday, against Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar and the Avalanche, who have won seven of their last eight games.
“It’s probably ideal for a calendar. We just have to keep the same mindset by knowing what to expect, said defenseman Kaiden Guhle on Sunday. I would say MacKinnon is even more explosive than McDavid, who gets his speed in the neutral zone.
“I like this kind of challenge,” he added.
Guhle and Mike Matheson faced McDavid’s line on Saturday, and will likely have the mandate to play against MacKinnon’s line on Monday.
Same thing for center Nick Suzuki, who did well even though he was supported by Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky – two players who are not known for their brilliance in their zone.
Slafkovsky said he enjoyed the experience of having the mandate to face the best player in the world.
“It’s a good motivation, because you really want to defend your territory well against a guy of this caliber,” said the 19-year-old Slovakian, only. I think we did well. »
Guhle reminded us that defending your territory well does not necessarily require all the talent in the world.
“It’s often a question of attitude, of willingness to do the necessary things. I think it’s clicking more for him now,” Guhle said of Slafkovsky.
“He is progressing offensively, but defensively too. He’s not a one-dimensional player, he added. He’s doing good things in all areas and it’s important that he does if he wants to keep the same role. »
St-Louis also noted that the commitment shown by its players against the Oilers was a necessary element in developing the team’s culture. He said they need to understand that this is a crucial part of the game.
Furthermore, Jake Allen will be the Canadiens’ starting goalie against the Avalanche. He will be making his 15th start this season, but his first since January 4 against the Buffalo Sabres.
The return of Drouin
Monday’s meeting will also mark the return of Jonathan Drouin to the Bell Center for the first time since he left the Canadiens this summer.
Drouin signed a one-year contract with the Avalanche as a free agent. He was thus reunited with MacKinnon, with whom he had made rain and shine with the Halifax Mooseheads, in the QMJHL.
After a discreet start to the season, the 28-year-old Quebecer is having good times. He has seven goals and nine assists in his last 15 games and was transferred to the line of MacKinnon and Rantanen.
“I’m happy for Jo, who has moved to another stage of his career,” said St-Louis, who briefly managed him in his last season and a half with the Habs. He hasn’t had an easy time, but it’s like anything in life: if you give up, you won’t get what you want. I’m proud that he kept pushing and that he’s doing great. »
After being acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, Drouin played six seasons with the Canadian. He collected 186 points in 321 games, but never really met the high expectations of the fans, the Habs management and even his own.
His stay with the Canadian was also marked by injuries and a break for his mental health.
“It’s never nice to see a teammate go through difficult times,” said defenseman David Savard, who noted he spent a lot of time with Drouin off the ice over the past two seasons. We try to help however we can.
“I think the change of scenery did him good,” he added. It’s good to see him having success. He is so talented! »
Savard added that Drouin had expressed in his discussions with him that he felt good with his new team and being a little less in the spotlight than he was in Montreal.
Drouin will, however, return to the spotlight on Monday at the Bell Centre.