The current portion of the calendar has allowed the Canadian to progress further in the race for the playoffs and even if he is 28e in the general ranking, hope is very present, among other things thanks to the performance of the special teams.
This is an encouraging point for the Habs, who are five points from the last place giving access to the playoffs in the Eastern Association. Certainly, with nine teams fighting for a single place, the challenge remains daunting, but there is reason to be more optimistic. On the power play, when you add a scorer like Patrik Laine, you have more options to threaten the enemy net.
However, what I like even more is Lane Hutson, who impresses me. Offensively and defensively, he stands out through an above-average hockey intelligence quotient. He relies on a good stick and breaks the opponent’s games. With or without the puck, he competes and has vision that helps him anticipate the play in an exceptional manner.
In his case, Martin St-Louis did things well by putting himself in the place of his veteran Mike Matheson. Two months ago, if he had replaced him with Hutson in the first mass attack unit, it might have created friction. However, he gave the rookie time to earn the respect of his teammates through his actions on the ice. I knew that eventually Hutson was going to pass Matheson, but we had to figure out the ideal time to make the switch. It was done with respect.
Montembeault raised his game
On the numerical inferiority side, the players are doing an extraordinary job. We see the feeling of urgency, which is not the same as with an extra man. Unlike in past years, everyone has a defined role and knows what to do. For example, Josh Anderson has been moved away from the power play, except that he values himself by taking penalties. In a team, it is important that everyone feels pride in taking on a task.
However, your best element to slow down the rival club with a numerical disadvantage is your goalkeeper. And since the confirmation of his presence in the Canadian squad for the 4 Nations Showdown, Samuel Montembeault has raised his game a notch. This announcement seems to have motivated him to the maximum and it bodes well for the future.
Precisely, the Canadian has an interest in accumulating points between now and Christmas against teams he can defeat, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins (Thursday), the Buffalo Sabers (Tuesday), the Detroit Red Wings (December 20 and 21). ) or the Columbus Blue Jackets (December 23). Because afterward, it will be more complicated against, in particular, the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. But if the special teams continue to produce effectively, he will get there.
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