After good performances against two of the good attacks in the NHL and some of the best players on the circuit, the Montreal Canadiens will try to continue in the same vein during a sequence of three games abroad.
The Montreal team will visit the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, and the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
The Canadian limited the damage against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers last Saturday, snatching a point in a 2-1 overtime loss. He then defeated Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 on Monday night.
Although the Devils are still without their star Jack Hughes, head coach Martin St-Louis does not expect an easier task for his squad.
“We are going to face another good team. It’s not an easy league and there’s always danger, he said after the Canadiens’ practice on Tuesday. You can play a good game and lose just as you can play a bad game and win. »
“We must analyze our performances honestly, and we must continue to offer the best of ourselves,” he continued.
If the emphasis was placed on the performances of the Canadian’s first trio against those of the Oilers and the Avalanche during the analysis of these meetings, St-Louis wanted to recall the commitment of all its players during these two parts.
“We faced very good teams, good offensive teams,” he noted. It’s not a trio that’s going to take care of all that. It takes a group, an attitude. I think that’s what we got. »
During these two matches, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard was placed to the left of Jake Evans and Brendan Gallagher. They had the mandate to face Draisaitl’s line in the game against the Oilers, but Gallagher noted that his unit was able to benefit from a little more freedom on offense against the Avalanche.
Harvey-Pinard also took the opportunity to score his first goal of the season.
“They’re two smart guys who play well from one end of the ice to the other,” Harvey-Pinard said of his linemates. It’s also my style of play. The three of us can go to the corners to recover pucks. It makes a nice rotation. Everyone can play anywhere on the ice. »
Gallagher also praised the work of Harvey-Pinard.
“It’s easy to play with him. He plays simple, but effective hockey, he said. He also works very hard, chases the puck and applies a good forecheck. I think if we play to our strengths, we can be successful. »
Furthermore, Samuel Montembeault will face shots from the Devils on Wednesday. This will be his sixth start in nine games for the Canadian.
Monahan and Ylönen skip their turn
Forwards Sean Monahan and Jesse Ylönen missed the Canadian’s training on Tuesday, instead taking advantage of a day of treatment.
Monahan played 19:27 Monday night against the Avalanche. He raised some help.
Ylönen did not finish the game against the Avalanche. He was hit in the head by a shot from teammate Jayden Struble in the second period and did not return to the game afterward.
Tanner Pearson, however, returned to the regular squad in full training for the first time since he fell in action against the Buffalo Sabers on December 9.
Pearson missed his team’s last 16 games with an upper body injury. He has four goals and as many assists in 27 games this season.
Finally, Josh Anderson skated before the group. He missed the Habs’ last two games because of a lower body injury.
Of those four players, only Anderson was not on the plane to Newark, New Jersey. He will join the team during his trip only if he gets the green light to train with his teammates.