While the droughts of certain attackers continue to extend for the Montreal Canadiens, the defenders regularly find a way to contribute to the attack.
Prior to Friday’s games, Habs defensemen ranked second in the NHL in goals scored by defensemen with 23 – one fewer than the Colorado Avalanche.
In terms of the proportion of goals scored by the defensive brigade, the Canadian found himself far ahead of the Avalanche, with 30.3% of the goals coming from defenders. The Avalanche follow in second place at 23.1%.
Earlier this week, head coach Martin St-Louis expressed some surprise when commenting on the offensive contribution of his defenders this season.
“I said that because we count on a lot of young defenders,” St-Louis explained Friday. On the other hand, I’m not surprised because our five-a-side game is good. I think it helps our young defensemen get involved and produce. »
Unlike the Avalanche, which has in its ranks defenders with an offensive profile like Cale Makar and Samuel Girard, the Habs only have one established defender labeled offensive, Mike Matheson.
The 29-year-old Montrealer shares the top scorer rank in the Canadian defense with Justin Barron. Both have scored five goals since the start of the campaign.
Johnathan Kovacevic scored four times, although he is known for his defensive qualities. Gustav Lindström scored three times in just 14 games, while Jayden Struble found the back of the net twice in his first 11 career NHL games.
Jordan Harris is the only defender among the nine who has played at least one game with the Bleu-blanc-rouge this season who has still not made the red light shine.
I think the coaches give us the freedom to be creative when we can carry the puck out of the zone.
Kovacevic also noted the fact that defenders were not confined to certain roles in training.
“On the other teams I played on, the defensemen focused during practice on defensive play and zone exits,” he said. Here we emphasize not training based on our position. This allows us to practice different facets of the game and I think that then carries over into matches. »
Kovacevic, however, recalled that this freedom granted to defenders did not mean that their priority was no longer to defend their territory.
“You have to contribute offensively without compromising defensively,” he stressed. We have to recognize the good moments to support the attack. There are times when you need to take less risk. »
The Canadian will face a brigade a little less threatening than his own on Saturday. The New York Islanders are ranked at 27e rank in the circuit with nine goals by defenders, for a proportion of 10.5%.
Samuel Montembeault will defend the Habs cage for a second game in a row.
Evans absent again
Jake Evans missed a second practice in a row on Friday. The team simply indicated that the Ontario forward was enjoying another day of treatment.
Evans has played in each of the Canadiens’ 29 games this season. He had two goals and seven assists.
If he is unable to face the Islanders on Saturday, everything indicates that Emil Heineman will take his place and play his first career game in the NHL.
The four other players who missed Thursday’s practice – Matheson, Cayden Primeau, Brendan Gallagher and Christian Dvorak – were back at work.
In addition, Harris (lower body) trained with his teammates for the first time since he fell in action on November 18, against the Boston Bruins. He participated in the first exercises of the session, before retreating to the locker room.
Harris had also worked before his teammates with director of hockey development Adam Nicholas.
The Canadian announced Tuesday that Harris’ recovery should last another 10 to 14 days.