With all due respect to last Saturday’s triumphant-as-necessary victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Habs didn’t exactly defeat a league power. This team “works extremely hard,” of course, as David Savard pointed out, but it will likely finish the season at the bottom of the NHL standings.
Posted at 12:34 p.m.
The Edmonton Oilers will be the visitors this Monday evening at the Bell Centre. Statistically, the Oilers are not having a thunderous start to the season. But we know how much damage their attack can do. In this sense, it will be a serious test for Martin St-Louis’ men, who have experienced phenomenal defensive progress over the last two weeks.
All matches “are real tests,” insisted the head coach, recalling that his club was in Minnesota a few days ago. It is true that the Wild are off to a strong start to the season, but their explosiveness has nothing to do with that of the Oilers, who, despite some problems finding the back of the net in recent weeks, remain a machine for generating goals. quality scoring chances, courtesy, notably and especially, of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
“If you help them, they will hurt you,” St-Louis stressed Monday morning. I find that we are getting better at limiting actions that help [l’adversaire]. It’s going to take that from us tonight. »
Along the same lines, David Savard recognized that a “big challenge” awaited his team. The Oilers create a lot of attack on direct runs, unlike, for example, the Blue Jackets, who rely more on their forecheck.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
David Savard
To contain the Alberta stars, “we have to play in units of five,” recalled the Quebecer. “Give less one on one, be solid in withdrawal, force them to clear the puck to limit their chances entering the zone,” he listed.
And above all, “always be aware of where they are on the ice,” added Kaiden Guhle.
“I don’t think we need to change everything in our system, but like most teams, we will have to put a player on [McDavid] for the majority of the evening,” he added.
« Attitude »
The good news, when Guhle talks about his confidence in the defensive system, is precisely that the Flannel has clearly improved his execution when he loses possession of the disc. We feel less confusion and, above all, a more global and sustained commitment from the group.
“Every match is different, [mais] we must reproduce what we do well with regularity,” analyzed Lane Hutson.
Guhle speaks of a “state of mind” that has changed. “Mentally, we take more pride in our defensive play,” he said. We worked a lot on this. We know what it takes to win in this league. There won’t be many 8-7 games.”
Martin St-Louis offered the same reading.
“We didn’t change many things, but we corrected the attitude,” he summarized. Playing defense isn’t fun, but it’s so important. […] You can have any defensive structure, but it starts with attitude. You bring rhythm, and that’s what we do. It’s important if we want to grow as a team. »
After missing the last match due to an “upper body” injury, David Savard will return to his position in defense. Everything suggests that Justin Barron will give up his place. If necessary, he will be left out for a seventh time in eight games.
Samuel Montembeault, meanwhile, will be the starting goalie for the Canadian.
The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.
