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Decisions on Defence | Habs Notepad

Chris G
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Decisions on Defence | Habs Notepad
Johnathan Kovacevic, Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images)

Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Mike Hoffman, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Mike Matheson, Jordan Harris, Arber Xhekaj, Jonathan Kovacevic, Laval Rocket, Trois-Rivieres Lions

Johnathan Kovacevic, Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images)

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — On Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers visited the Bell Centre and within three minutes had a 2-0 lead. The Canadiens answered back with two goals before the first intermission. A shootout was eventually needed where captain Nick Suzuki clinched the 5-4 victory.

“It wasn’t one of our best games. Overall, we played better in Columbus and we lost there. It’s not an easy league and we found a way [to win.] On the six-on-five, it was big plays from our big players. They dug us out of the hole and we were able to get the other point in the shootout. It wasn’t a perfect game. There was a lot of errors. It’s a character win,” coach Martin St. Louis said about Montreal’s fifth comeback win of the season.

The Flyers presented challenges to the Canadiens that they had not seen to this point. “It was the first time that a team gave us trouble to leave our zone with possession, and get into their zone with possession.”

Mike Hoffman did not play in the third period due to injury. No details on the timeline or type of injury until he gets further evaluated.

Suzuki and Caufield Strike Again

The Suzuki and Cole Caufield duo struck with three seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. Suzuki with a precise pass through traffic right to Caufield for a one-timer to send the crowd roaring.

“[Suzuki] has a lot of poise. He’s very calm even if everything is going fast around him. He’s able to see the holes and able to sell something,” coach said about the captain.

Caufield’s two goals brings his total to 11 for the season. “[Caufield] is getting better and better. He’s such an enthusiastic kid. We all feed off him, we rely on him, he knows that, and he brings it every single night,” Brendan Gallagher said about Caufield.

Matheson Debut

Mike Matheson made his Canadiens debut on Saturday. The defenceman suffered an abdominal muscle strain in his first preseason game that eventually forced him to be sidelined. 

Matheson’s night did not begin as he would have liked. He was on the ice with defensive partner Joel Edmundson for Philadelphia’s two goals in the opening three minutes. The evening got better as the Pointe-Claire, Quebec native scored in front of his family in attendance.

“It’s special. It will be a moment that I will remember for a long time. It’s hard to describe,” Matheson spoke about lighting the lamp. Matheson said that he felt good after being on the ice for 23:57, including time on the second power play unit.

“[Matheson] can log a lot of minutes. He uses his feet to get out of sticky situations. He’s been in the league for a long time, so whenever you can have that veteran presence back there, it’s a big bonus,” Edmundson said about his partner.

Rotation on Defence

The Canadiens young defencemen have performed above expectations since the start of the season. Matheson’s return forced the coaching staff to make a decision at the blue line.

Jordan Harris was the first victim of Matheson’s return and St. Louis said that it had nothing to do with performance. Harris, Arber Xhekaj and Jonathan Kovacevic will take part of a rotation based on the type of lineup desired against the opposition. Kaiden Guhle has solidified a spot on a pairing with veteran David Savard. There are currently no plans of sending a defenceman to Laval.

All signs point that Chris Wideman will not get an opportunity to dress unless the team gets into injury issues.

Rocket Split Weekend

The Laval Rocket resumed their four-game homestand with a pair of contests against the Cleveland Monsters on the weekend. On Friday, Laval was down by one goal through 40 minutes before things fell apart. Cleveland scored five times in the third period, four times on the powerplay, as they headed to 7-3 win.

“We were in it. We missed a lot of chances in the first period to take the lead. The puck was really not bouncing in our favour. They got five power play goals and everything they touched went in. It was one of those periods that really hurt us,” coach Jean-Francois Houle said.

On Saturday, three periods was not enough to determine a winner. The teams were tied 3-3 through 65 minutes and a shootout was needed. Brandon Gignac clinched the win for Laval with the game deciding goal in the eighth round.

“A lot of shots and a comeback. I think we showed a lot of character coming back 3-1 and 4-3. We were resilient,” Houle said. Laval outshot their opponents 52-23.

On the opening shift, Mattias Norlinder was struck in the face by a puck and did not return to the game. The defenceman will be evaluated by the team’s doctors on Monday.

The Rocket wrap up their homestand on Wednesday when the Abbotsford Canucks visit Place Bell.

Lions on Streak

The Trois-Rivieres Lions hosted the Norfolk Admirals twice over the weekend. On Friday, both teams power plays were successful as Trois-Rivieres scored three times and Norfolk twice with the man advantage. The Lions ended up on the winning side of the offensive match with a 6-4 victory.

“It’s the kind of game we had to win. The Admirals are not a bad team. They are fast and they are well structured. We did a lot of good things, especially on the power play. We had too many turnovers and were undisciplined late in the game,” coach Eric Belanger said.

On Saturday, the Lions extended their win streak to four games with a 5-0 victory against the Admirals. Trois-Rivieres dominated their opponents, outshooting them 42-13.

“I can’t ask for better. I think relative to our structure, it was our best defensive game of the year. We did a lot of good things. Our power play was good and we killed our penalties. The three games at home can give us a good confidence,” Belanger said.

Trois-Rivieres heads to Utah to face the Grizzlies three times starting on Friday.

(Quotes courtesy of Le Nouvelliste)

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By Chris G., Senior Writer
All Habs Hockey Magazine
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