The evening could have been a total celebration for the Montreal Canadiens.
A close victory against the Detroit Red Wings, a successful first match for Alexandre Carrier in the tricolor sweater, and a solid collective performance.
However, while Carrier beamed with happiness after this beautiful evening, Martin St-Louis, the CH head coach, displayed a somber and preoccupied look.
What's going on with St. Louis? Where did the fire in his eyes go?
For Alexandre Carrier, this first evening with the Canadian was a waking dream.
Visibly nervous, the Quebec defender knew how to keep his game simple and effective, receiving praise from his teammates and his coach.
“There was a bit of nervousness for me at first, but I kept it simple”admitted Carrier with a contagious smile.
He did not fail to highlight the contribution of his partner, Kaiden Guhle, whom he found impressive:
“For 22 years, honestly, it’s impressive. He’s calm, good positioning, he knows what he has to do.”
Even Guhle, although not inclined to compliments, was enthusiastic:
“It was really fun. He keeps it simple, he plays hard. He did a great job tonight.”
For Carrier, everything seemed aligned. A victory, a good first impression, and the feeling of having found his place in an organization he has idolized since childhood.
He was daydreaming in front of the media.
But while Carrier celebrated this memorable evening, Martin St-Louis looked completely elsewhere. Arms crossed, his features drawn, the coach displayed an expression that looked more like that of a man who had just lost a seventh game of the Stanley Cup final.
A striking contrast with the boundless energy of Carrier and the team.
St-Louis, usually vibrant and incisive, seemed absent. Even his responses to the media contained sadness in his voice.
This video clip worries us. It really looks like St. Louis is depressed. We no longer recognize him.
When asked about Lane Hutson, guilty of an error that led to a Red Wings goal, St-Louis nevertheless found a hint of his bite.
Martin McGuire, always on the lookout for a strong statement, tried to get him to talk about the young defender's mistakes, but St-Louis cut him off:
“Lane had a good game. I don't see what you see”
A moment that left a strange taste. As if St. Louis was trying to hide a deep inner unease. Even the journalists on site were worried about the mental state of the CH coach.
Has St. Louis lost its passion or is this just a moment of burnout? The Canadian's season has not been easy.
Between injuries, tough decisions and high expectations, St. Louis seems to be carrying a heavier and heavier burden. Even after a victory, he seems unable to fully rejoice.
Some observers wonder if the constant pressures of rebuilding, combined with trade rumors and inconsistent performances, are starting to dampen his enthusiasm.
For Carrier, this evening was a moment to savor.
“It’s a little guy’s dream to play for the Canadiens”he confided, his eyes sparkling.
His joy and enthusiasm contrast radically with the attitude of his trainer. But this contrast raises an important question: can the team continue to progress if its leader himself seems to be running out of steam?
Despite Carrier's smiles and the good individual performances, the atmosphere was curiously heavy. If the arrival of Carrier brings a breath of fresh air to the defensive brigade, the behavior of St-Louis reminds us that all is not rosy within the Canadian.
One thing is certain: the fire that animated Martin St-Louis must be rekindled quickly, otherwise his influence on the team will fade.
The next challenge for CH will not only be on the ice, but also in the head and heart of its coach.
The passion and energy that characterized Martin St-Louis absolutely must resurface.
Because if even a victory is no longer enough to make him smile, something deeper is wrong.
Related News :