Capitals' Alex Ovechkin poses an enormous problem for the Canadiens

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There’s by no means a perfect time to face Capitals sniper Alex Ovechkin — but it surely’s most likely particularly dangerous timing when he’s coming off two straight video games with out registering a shot.

That’s one thing that, till now, had by no means occurred for the NHL’s all-time shots-on-goal chief, now in his nineteenth season.

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“He’s all the time harmful to me,” mentioned Canadiens’ goaltender Jake Allen, anticipated to start out Saturday night time (7 p.m., Metropolis-TV, SNE, TVA Sports activities, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM), when Montreal concludes its three-game homestand in opposition to Washington on the Bell Centre.

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The Canadiens (1-1-1) are coming off a 5-2 thumping by Minnesota final Tuesday, one night time earlier than the Caps (1-2-0) have been drubbed 6-1 in Ottawa.

“I feel (Ovechkin’s lack of photographs) might be what has been talked about these days, however he’s all the time harmful,” Allen continued. “It doesn’t matter if he has one shot or 10 within the recreation. That (one shot) is all he wants. We’re going to should be on our toes.”

Ovechkin, 38, has recorded 6,359 photographs in 1,350 regular-season video games. In solely 19 of these contests has he did not document a shot, and he has confirmed lethal correct over his legendary profession, with 822 objectives and 1,486 factors. Ovechkin has confronted the Canadiens 55 instances, scoring 37 objectives whereas directing 242 photographs at Montreal netminders.

He could be off to a sluggish begin this season, producing his first level — an help — in opposition to the Senators, but it surely’s most likely solely a matter of time earlier than he breaks unfastened. He has been the NHL’s goal-scoring chief 9 instances in his profession; an eight-time first-team all-star.

Ovechkin’s shot is predicated on energy and velocity, in accordance with Allen.

“He’s obtained all of the mixtures,” he defined. “It curves, it dips, it dives. There’s a number of issues that a number of guys can’t do. I feel it clearly is a testomony to how large of a person he’s; how sturdy he’s. Loads of instances his pucks will transfer on the fly. It’s not a straight shot. It’s a must to be in the proper place. It’s not reactionary. It’s extra positional based mostly. He’s the perfect goal-scorer of all time for a motive.”

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Allen, 33, hasn’t performed for the reason that Canadiens’ opening-game 6-5 shootout loss at Toronto, Oct. 11, having ceded the web in favour of Samuel Montembeault in opposition to Chicago and the Wild. Administration undoubtedly hopes one of many two seizes management of the place, and each determine to be busier subsequent week, when the staff performs 4 video games in six days. To compound issues, the Canadiens’ roster features a third netminder, Cayden Primeau, who must clear waivers earlier than being assigned to the AHL’s Laval Rocket.

“Since we came upon throughout camp this was going to be the state of affairs, it’s important to settle for it and embrace it,” Allen defined. “We’re all right here to try to put the perfect foot ahead for this group and staff. We’re discovering the proper methods to be environment friendly about it. Clearly with three guys, throughout follow instances, it’s important to discover methods to remain on prime of it.”

A lot of Friday morning’s follow was dedicated to the staff’s struggling energy play, which has produced just one purpose. Not solely did the Canadiens fail to transform 5 manpower benefits in opposition to Minnesota, the staff surrendered two short-handed objectives inside 26 seconds within the opening interval.

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“No one’s annoyed, though we’re not seeing outcomes,” mentioned Cole Caufield, who performs on the staff’s first power-play unit. “It’s going to come back with follow. We’re three video games in and we’re 1-1-1. I don’t suppose we must be freaking out simply but.”

Montreal additionally has a league-high 85 penalty minutes, a development that head coach Martin St. Louis admitted on Thursday should be rectified.

“We’ve simply obtained to remain out of the field,” Caufield mentioned. “We’re a reasonably good staff five-on-five. We’re targeted on taking much less penalties and holding the sport five-on-five.”

In the meantime, ahead Christian Dvorak, but to play this season as a result of a knee damage, practised Friday with out his no-contact jersey. Dvorak, who hasn’t performed since March 7, isn’t eligible to return till early November, in opposition to St. Louis. Defenceman Kaiden Guhle (wrist), skated on his personal for roughly 20 minutes.

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