The Canadian | Without making waves, Struble and Xhekaj find their bearings

That’s not something you’d think you’d say after a 7-5 win. Nor is it a conclusion that one instinctively draws when a team wins so infrequently. But for five games, the Canadian has been playing better defensively. Even much better.

At five-on-five, the team drastically reduced the number of shots and scoring opportunities allowed to their opponents. We suspect that when a club languishes at 31^e rank in the league, there are still many areas to improve. The offense (except Cole Caufield) has slowed down, the penalty kill has eroded, and the goalies would like to stop more pucks.

We must nevertheless admit that since the beginning of the month, on a strictly defensive level, the tap has closed. One might believe that, like Louis-José Houde, the Canadian prefers November.

“It’s a big team improvement,” said Martin St-Louis, Wednesday morning, after CH training. We are more difficult to face. »

“We must continue to work in this direction,” added Samuel Montembeault. The goaltender pointed out that in his two most recent starts, in New Jersey and Toronto, the players in front of him had spent much less time in his team’s territory at even strength.

In fact, since the clash against the Pittsburgh Penguins a little less than two weeks ago, almost everyone has seen their individual indicators improve. And among the most deserving, we find Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj.

Stability

Both, it is true, started from afar. Xhekaj seemed completely disoriented at the start of the calendar, and Struble, after missing a few matches due to injury, struggled to find his rhythm.

It is also true that they do not face the opposition’s best elements with regularity and that their ice time is carefully calculated. However, since the two have been reunited, the level of chaos has decreased considerably within the third defensive duo.

In some 41 minutes of ice time together over five games, Struble and Xhekaj have seen the opponent score just one goal at five-on-five. Without being dominant, this combination constitutes something of a surprise, especially since Struble, a left-hander, must play on the right for the first time in his life.

“It’s not that bad,” said the American on Wednesday. There are still adjustments to be made, but nothing crazy. With the puck, I have to look up quicker to see my options and give myself space to get back on my forehand. Defensively, it’s not that different. I like that! »

Montembeault spontaneously praised the work of number 47, who neutralized a few excess numbers with his stick. Moreover, “these are two physical players who fight good one-on-one battles,” analyzed the Quebecer.

Martin St-Louis, without losing himself in praise, also praised the performance of his two young defenders. Collective success, he believes, “helps individuals.”

Nick Suzuki, for his part, recalled that they have just played five consecutive matches together. “It helps not to change partners every match,” he suggested.

No less than 13 different duos have in fact been brought together for at least 20 minutes at five against five so far this season.

Beyond this factor, first and foremost they “played well”, observed the captain, specifying that they “did not give much” and that they “erased their errors without being excessively aggressive.

So many good points for them, indeed.

Barron attend

If this improbable pair is having a good time, it is in particular because Justin Barron has watched the last five games from the stands, even if he says he is fully recovered from the “upper body” injury that left him forced him to miss three games at the end of October.

His return coincided with his team’s collapse against the Washington Capitals on Halloween, and he hasn’t played since.

“It’s a little frustrating,” Barron admitted. I think I played some good matches this year. I have to stay patient and wait for my next chance. »

By his own admission, he must “be more difficult to face” defensively, and he would also like to find his offensive touch, having only amassed one point in eight outings.

His morale and confidence are not affected, he assures, although he is frankly eager to get back into action.

“For now, he must continue to work and concentrate on his own business,” insisted Martin St-Louis about him. Right now, I like the way we are doing as a team defensively, and I see our game offensive come back a little. Jay Bee must remain ready. »

With Montembeault, without Harvey-Pinard

After his training, the Canadian flew to Minnesota, where he will face the Wild on Thursday evening. Samuel Montembeault will be the starting goalie. For the group as for him, the challenge will be significant, since the Wild (10-2-3) is one of the best teams in the league this season. Additionally, the Habs haven’t won since March 2011 in the Twin Cities, losing in their last 10 outings at the Xcel Energy Center. Furthermore, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard continues to get closer to a return to play, since he trained without constraints on Wednesday. However, he will not be available against the Wild, his coach indicated.