Quebecer Alexandre Carrier, recently acquired from the Nashville Predators, will play the very first game of his career in a Canadiens uniform on Friday night against the Red Wings in Detroit.
His arrival will, according to Dany Dubé, allow veteran defenders David Savard and Mike Matheson to be spared. These two backs, who are not getting any younger, are among the most used backs short of a man since the start of the season.
The two teams will also face each other on Saturday evening, but this time at the Bell Centre.
Head coach Martin St-Louis will trust Samuel Montembeault on Friday and most likely on Saturday. Is this a sign of the urgency of the situation or a lack of confidence in reservist Cayden Primeau?
Dany Dubé also remembers his first reaction when he encountered Lane Hutson in Detroit – he was making his NHL debut – at the end of last season.
“The first thing I said to myself was, ‘He needs to be good. He looked like he had just come out of high school. Not a hair, angelic face. He seemed like a good kid, but he was reaching the big leagues […] He's so good. Bravo to the organization for having had this foresight, this flair, with him. He will be the heart of defensive containment for years to come.”
