Martin St-Louis had hinted before the campaign that he would perhaps be more demanding with his players this year and it is already felt.
After two defeats in which the Montreal Canadiens were guilty of decisions that demonstrated a lack of maturity within the young group, St-Louis expressed its dissatisfaction with the play of its team so far this season.
“I expect a higher floor this year and I’m not happy with our floor,” he said Friday in reference to the team’s level of play.
Veteran Brendan Gallagher agreed it was time to put words into action.
“We’re talking about getting to a certain level, fighting for a playoff spot. The time has come to get on the ice and show that we can do it,” Gallagher said. If you say these things, you have to go on the ice and demonstrate it.
“We just played two home games against good teams, yes, but we were in positions where we could win those games even though we weren’t at our best and we didn’t do that. We have to understand that there are small details that will help us win. But if we played like we are capable of playing, it would make it a little easier.”
St-Louis has also been insisting for several days that there is no confusion associated with tasks in the defensive zone, even if the team has conceded 17 goals in five games since the start of the campaign, including 10 in its last two exits.
“No matter the system, all five players have to do the work,” recalled St-Louis. If a guy doesn’t do his job, loses a stick, falls, it’s going to create a hole in all the systems.
“I’m not worried about our structure. We just need to work out the details,” he added.
Defenseman Jayden Struble, who could play in his first game this season Saturday against the Islanders in New York after nursing an upper-body injury, echoed his coach.
“It’s all about effort and approach,” Struble said. If the effort is there, everything usually falls into place. If you make a mistake, someone will be there to support you.”
