What the Puck: The Canadiens want to indicate indicators of progress this 12 months

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What a distinction a recreation makes.

Tuesday afternoon, I used to be outdoors the Bell Centre speaking to followers and all of us had been feeling on the very least mildly upbeat concerning the Canadiens. I used to be saying to people who the crew had three out of 4 factors of their first two video games, with a shootout loss to Toronto within the season-opener after which a win Saturday night time towards Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks.

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Everybody I spoke with shared that enthusiasm. They talked of the thrilling younger gamers. Of how they appreciated present administration and charismatic coach Martin St. Louis.

Positive there was a darkish cloud hovering over the crew within the type of the season-ending damage to Kirby Dach, who has torn anterior and medial collateral ligaments in his proper knee. However the sense, earlier than Montreal confronted the Minnesota Wild Tuesday night, was that they’d sufficient depth to take care of the lack of their second-line centre.

Then the wheels got here off the bus. Positive it was just one recreation however the Habs seemed merely horrible in that miserable 5-2 loss to the Wild. I’ve been saying all summer season that is going to be an extended, robust season for followers and that was evident Tuesday.

Many are shopping for into the reconstruction plan of CH hockey bosses Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes, however I believe there needs to be important indicators of progress this season. It’s a small pattern dimension — three video games — however to date it’s not clear if the approaching months shall be about development or regression.

To lose in a shootout to the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of many league’s finest groups (within the common season!), was spectacular. Blowing a 5-3 lead late within the third in that very same recreation was a lot much less spectacular. Jake Allen letting in two very weak Auston Matthews targets was not spectacular in any respect.

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New acquisition Alex Newhook has three targets in three video games and has principally seemed excellent. Perhaps one of the vital nice surprises is Tanner Pearson, who scored his second aim Tuesday night time. The man seems to have a laser of a shot. To nobody’s shock, Sean Monahan additionally seems to be nice and if he can keep wholesome — a big if — that’s a serious plus.

However captain Nick Suzuki’s oddly lacklustre play within the first three video games is regarding, as is his obvious whole lack of chemistry with buddy and linemate Cole Caufield. Is head coach Martin St. Louis giving Suzuki an excessive amount of ice time? Many consider he’s.

Then there’s the not-so-special specialty groups. The facility play is past terrible. Not solely can they not rating, they astonishingly allowed two short-handed targets in a single energy play Tuesday. The penalty killing is simply as dangerous.

All of us love St. Louis, however at a sure level he has to take possession for a few of these faults. Talking of the coach, he was in a positively foul temper within the post-game press convention Tuesday. Not fairly a Michel Therrien rage, however positively not his normal cheery quotable self.

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The opposite disappointment Tuesday was Samuel Montembeault. He didn’t really look notably good on any of the 5 targets and it’s important to hope it’s a one-game blip for the goalie who had a good begin Saturday and commenced the season with a lot promise after his stellar efficiency backstopping Canada to a giant win on the World Championships in Finland in Could.

Lengthy-distance Canadiens fan: Marek Nevesely flew from Prague to Montreal to catch Tuesday recreation, the primary time this dyed-in-the-wool Habs followers from the Czech Republic received to see his favorite hockey crew dwell. He mentioned he spent some huge cash to return see the Canadiens on the Bell Centre. He’ll head to the nation’s capital later this week to catch an Ottawa Senators recreation earlier than returning house.

He grew up taking part in hockey and all the time beloved the Canadiens, mentioning that considered one of his favorite gamers again within the day was Man Lafleur. He additionally understandably has appreciated the Czech gamers who’ve worn the CH, notably Roman Hamrlik, Tomas Plekanec and Martin Rucinsky. On the present crew, he says he loves “the small one,” that means Caufield, “as a result of the small gamers have problem taking part in towards the tall gamers.”

“The Canadiens gained in 1993 and I’m nonetheless ready for the subsequent Stanley Cup,” Nevesely mentioned.

You and the remainder of us Marek!

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