The Montreal Canadiens will host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday evening, when they will come up against the team of the hour in the circuit. To mix things up a bit, Craig Berube will dress his fighter Ryan Reaves, who will have no problem fighting with Arber Xhekaj.
Although Berube earned a 4-3 overtime victory over the New Jersey Devils last Thursday night, he made only one change to his lineup: the addition of Reaves’ two fists. The veteran seems inclined to defend his territory with great aplomb, but he will only drop the gloves if the moment is right.
Here are Berube’s comments, collected by the site The Hockey News:
“It’s an important match, Montreal. It’s a big rivalry, obviously. They have physical players there. So we have to be physical tonight. They play extremely well. They play fast, they use their talent. They have very good players. We need to make sure we’re ready to go. And we have to play an intense match!”Berube’s message is clear.
Reaves is also ready to play his role, but he is aware of the right moment when he must waltz with an opponent. Here are these statements regarding the Sheriff and his physical game:
-“I mean you see how the game plays out. He is there to play physically, just like me. It’s good when sometimes these guys compete or whatever, but you have to see how the match goes.” – Reaves
Let us point out that Reaves, who still hasn’t fought this year, seems to be eager to fight!
Berube is another opponent who offers a favorable plea towards the Montreal Canadiens, but at the same time, it is fair game to offer this type of remarks before a confrontation. But hey, by dressing Reaves, who only has 28 duels on the clock this year, Berube shows that he fears the Habs, both physically and offensively.
The puck will be dropped around 7:13 p.m. Saturday evening, in front of a crowd certainly ready for an abrasive Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
