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Positive Start by New Additions | Habs Notepad

Chris G
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Positive Start by New Additions | Habs Notepad
Josh Anderson (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)

Habs News: Montreal Canadiens, Habs, Alexander Romanov, Josh Anderson, Joel Edmundson, Tyler Toffoli, Claude Julien, Carey Price

Josh Anderson (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The Canadiens opened the 2021 season on Wednesday night, with a 5-4 overtime loss against the Maple Leafs. Montreal blew three leads during that game.

“You never like to lose, but I thought we had started well in the first half of the game and did as good a job you could for the first game. We had a lead and were in control, but penalties gave them an opportunity to come back in the game,” Claude Julien said.

On Saturday, Jeff Petry and Tomas Tatar each scored twice to lead the Habs to a 5-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers. Connor McDavid was limited to two shots on goal, including a breakaway in the first period.

“Probably the best player in the world coming down on him but you’re sitting on the bench and you almost just know you’re going to get the save,” Brendan Gallagher said when asked about Carey Price’s save on the breakaway.

The Canadiens continue their six-game road trip on Monday against the Oilers, before heading to Vancouver to face the Canucks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

There was a lot of excitement on the team’s off-season additions, and I will share my impressions on their first week of action.

Romanov Lives Up to Hype

As I watching Wednesday’s game against Toronto, I understood the reason that the Canadiens brass have been high on Alexander Romanov. In the past, management has had the habit of managing fans expectations, but they didn’t hold back on praising  Romanov. Julien mentioned during the off-season that he would be surprised if the rookie did not start the season with Montreal.

“He had poise, and if you were to be watching the game not knowing anything about him, you wouldn’t say that was his first NHL game,” Petry said on Friday about Romanov’s debut. I couldn’t agree more with the veteran’s statement.

“For a young player in his first game in the National Hockey League (NHL), he looked confident, looked very comfortable. I didn’t hate his game at all, he played well. He made some small mistakes here and there, everyone did tonight,” Julien said post-game in Toronto.

The coach gave Romanov an average of 18:40 of ice time through two games. Romanov was on the second power-play unit as he was since the start of camp, and was also assigned on the penalty-kill unit when Shea Weber and Ben Chiarot were in the box serving their respective penalties.

Romanov Excited

Romanov’s time in the bubble certainly impacted his confidence through his first week of action in the NHL. He wasn’t eligible to play in the post season, but practised with the team throughout its duration. It allowed him to spend time with his teammates, get to know the coaching staff, and learn the system.

“We told him to be comfortable and have fun, remember your first game as a good memory. Like we told Romanov, we have confidence in his abilities, he just has to use them well. If there are adjustments that need to be made, the coaches are going to make them. We didn’t want him to think too much on the ice. We wanted him to play his style of game,” Julien said on Friday about the message given to the rookie.

“I think more excitement because it’s my first game. And a little bit nervous, a little bit nervous because I didn’t know what the NHL is like in real life. But it was okay, it was good,” Romanov answered on his debut.

The defenceman skated well, played physical, and comfortable with the puck. He obtained his first career point with a precise pass to Tatar, that led to a breakaway goal.

 

Slow Start for Edmundson

Joel Edmundson is off to a slow start. I admit that I’m not surprised. He’s had trouble fitting in to Montreal’s system. “I can always be better. I know my first game wasn’t the best. Just a little system things that I wasn’t aware of at the time,” Edmundson said on Sunday.

“Let’s give this guy a chance to adjust to his new team and a different system that he played last year. I think that’s what he’s doing. He was a much better player tonight, so I see good things happening,” the coach said after Saturday’s game.

Julien compared the situation to Chiarot’s arrival last season. Chiarot was bounced around between the second and third defensive pairings before becoming Weber’s partner.

“This guy played two years ago for a Stanley Cup team, and was a good player for them. Last year in Carolina, he was a good player too. We’re not worried about him internally,” Julien answered to critics on Friday.

Two games is a very small sample size. It doesn’t define a player. Edmundson’s performance improved in Edmonton, and a hit on McDavid in the neutral zone cause a turnover that led to Tatar’s goal.

Anderson as Advertised

Josh Anderson‘s long term contract came with skepticism. Anderson came off an injury riddled season with Columbus scoring one goal in 26 games. Anderson reassured Habs fans that he has fully recovered from his injuries.

Wednesday’s match was his first game since December 14th 2019. He made a remarkable Canadien debut with two goals against Toronto. Anderson’s play has been as advertised.

“Tonight what he did, is what we needed. A guy that can bring the puck to the net with speed and able to use his body to bring the puck to that territory. I find that he brought an important asset to our team, and it’s an encouraging sign for us,” Julien commented after the Maple Leafs’ game.

The goal shown below is a textbook visual of what drew Marc Bergevin to acquire Anderson during the offseason.

Anderson has averaged 15:20 of ice time through two games, playing to the right of Jonathan Drouin and Nick Suzuki. Anderson received time on the second power play unit.

Toffoli Building Chemistry

Tyler Toffoli is pointless through the first week of action. It’s surprising considering that Montreal is 3-for-5 on the power play, and Toffoli was signed to improve the special teams. The opposition has prevented him from taking a shot on power plays.

Connor McDavid’s breakaway opportunity on Saturday was created by a turnover from Toffoli.

His line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia hasn’t produced any goals on the board. Toffoli and Armia alternated playing on the left wing. The trio needs more time to build chemistry.

“They’ve generated some scoring chances. I remember that Kotkaniemi set up Toffoli for a really good scoring chance in Toronto. They’re all getting to know each other better and better every shift. We’re seeing the potential there. They just have to bury their chances and put up results,” Julien said on Sunday.

The coach hasn’t changed lines since training camp. He’s historically been patient with the offensive lines.

“Especially early in the season, you have to have a little bit of patience especially with the number of new guys up front. Give them a chance to build some chemistry with certain lines, and you hope that patience pays off in the long run,” Julien answered on potentially shuffling his trios.

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By Chris G., Senior Writer
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