The Canadiens may have lost their last two games by a combined score of 11-3, but we have to admit that the Montreal team held on for a long time against two of the best teams in the NHL before giving up.
After setbacks to the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs, the Habs will face another tough challenge on Tuesday when they visit the New Jersey Devils.
“Before the season, few people expected to see us be able to compete with teams of this quality, recalled defender Jordan Harris after training for the Canadiens on Monday. It’s promising to see that when we play well we can compete with all the teams.
“However, it’s annoying to see that a few mistakes cause us to lose these games,” he added. There are therefore positive things to take away from these matches, but they also represent learning opportunities. »
Indeed, head coach Martin St-Louis has focused on learning this season. Step by step, he adds aspects to his teaching. He believes the understanding of the players is on point. It’s just a matter of execution.
“We have to finish the matches, the periods, the presences, because we are there, he said. Defensively, you look at some goals, we’re there, but we’re not getting the job done.
“It’s not good enough to be in the right place, you have to finish the job. »
St-Louis refused to talk about mental fatigue to explain these small errors, recalling that the Canadian had only played five games since his long leave from the All-Star Game. The absence of a dozen regulars due to injuries does not serve as an excuse either.
In the end, it’s only the trade that comes in.
“Our team is young and while that’s no excuse, that’s where experience comes in,” Harris said. If you think this or that detail won’t make a difference and you don’t close the opening, the puck will end up in the back of your net, especially against good teams like the Hurricanes, Maple Leafs and Devils. »
And St-Louis still doesn’t worry too much about the results, he who prefers to assess the commitment and progress of the team in its learning.
“I get asked where the team is after those two games and I would say we’re where we should be,” he said. We are in matches, but sometimes it is difficult to get the upper hand at the end. We have to improve on this level. »
St-Louis has confirmed that Samuel Montembeault will face the Devils’ shots on Tuesday.
Guhle is approaching a comeback
Defender Kaiden Guhle trained for the first time with his teammates since suffering a left knee injury late in December.
He will also accompany his teammates during their trip to New Jersey and Philadelphia, where the Canadiens will face the Flyers on Friday. However, St. Louis said Guhle will not play those two games.
Guhle fell in action on December 29 against the Florida Panthers. A few days later, the Habs announced that he was going to be absent for at least eight weeks.
The 20-year-old Albertan returned to training alone on February 10.
In 36 games this season, Guhle has two goals and 12 assists. He was employed an average of 20:46 per encounter.
In addition, defender Chris Wideman was absent on Monday, as was forward Kirby Dach. The latter missed the last two games due to a virus unrelated to COVID-19. The Canadian indicated that the two players benefited from a day of treatment.
According to a Habs spokesperson, Wideman is now struggling with an upper-body injury. He was left out on Saturday against the Maple Leafs, then took part in the Canadiens’ skills competition on Sunday.
Center Sean Monahan (right foot), who returned to training with his teammates last week, also enjoyed a day of treatment. Monahan has not played since Dec. 5.
Dach, Wideman and Monahan remained in Montreal. Dach could join the team in Philadelphia ahead of Friday’s game against the Flyers.
Finally, note that defender Joel Edmundson skated with a therapist after his teammates. He hasn’t played since Jan. 26 due to an upper-body injury. No timeline has been released by the Canadian for a possible return to play.