The Canadian took for his cold during the last games. Against the New Jersey Devils and the Columbus Blue Jackets, it’s a total of nine pucks, if we ignore those in an empty net, which crossed the red line of the Habs cage.
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If it seemed rather surprising since the start of the season, the young defensive brigade of the Habs suddenly appears a little more fragile.
“It’s not just our play in our defensive zone. It has a link with our game on 200 feet, “said Joel Edmundson, yesterday.
“We cause a few turnovers in the opposing zone and on our blue line. The opponent has just been able to take advantage of it a little more in the last few games,” added the veteran.
Caught up by reality
The rivals were more incisive and the Canadiens’ goalkeepers performed fewer miracles. Since the beginning of the season, the Habs have posted the worst defensive statistics in several categories (see table opposite). Therefore, it was to be expected that reality would catch up with the team at some point in the season.
Met yesterday after training his group, Martin St-Louis mentioned that the trend, more apparent in recent meetings, is attributable to the style of play that the team practices.
“We are on the attack. We dominate, we dominate, we dominate and suddenly we shoot ourselves in the foot and that results in a goal from the opponent. It means that 90% of our presence was good, but that 10% hurt us, he analyzed. Care must be taken in dangerous areas. You have to be a little more alert. »
Matheson twinned with Edmundson
However, there is no question of panicking or changing the formula. After all, St-Louis never ceases to hammer that the process must take precedence over the result.
“When you play this style of game, you are effective with the puck. These are irritants that are part of learning,” he added.
The good news is that Mike Matheson is approaching a return to the game. Just yesterday, he trained with his teammates, forming a pair with Edmundson.
“We can’t wait to see him back in training. The team went after him for a reason. He has been playing in this league for several seasons. He knows what it takes to win, formulated the giant rear format. We have a young group of defenders. They have done a phenomenal job so far. However, when a veteran returns, it’s good news. »
The musical chair?
However, the imminent return will bring the number of healthy defensemen in the Habs to eight, which will force St-Louis and general manager Kent Hughes to make important decisions.
In the past seven games, Chris Wideman has been sent to the catwalk on six occasions. Johnathan Kovacevic is the other to have suffered, during the visit of the Golden Knights of Vegas. But leaving two fullbacks on the sidelines for multiple games seems pretty counterproductive — especially in the case of rookies.
Therefore, will they favor a rotation with three or four backs or will they prefer to send a young defender to the American League?
“Communication will be important,” agreed St-Louis. They need to understand that this is healthy competition. These competitions take you to another level. So it’s positive. »
Work, work, work
A competition to which Arber Xhekaj claims to be already accustomed.
“I thought I was starting the season in Laval. I expected to have to work and struggle to earn a recall. Now, with all the defenders healthy, I just have to keep working. »
In the aftermath of the defeat in Columbus, Evgenii Dadonov, Jake Evans and Juraj Slafkovsky were taken out of training to undergo a series of treatments. Joel Armia skated alone before his teammates.
Chances allowed per game for the CH (rank in the NHL)
At the entrance to the area 7.5 | 31e
In the offensive cycle 14.5 | 32e
On the forecheck 3.8 | 31e
On returns 2.0 | 32e
For his part, forward Rem Pitlick was once again demoted to the Laval Rocket, with whom he scored Friday night against the Cleveland Monsters in a 7-3 loss.