I used to be very stunned Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis determined to make Arber Xhekaj a wholesome scratch for Thursday night time’s 4-2 win over the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
Xhekaj logged a season-high 16:01 of ice time in Tuesday night time’s 6-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on the Bell Centre, wasn’t on the ice for any objectives towards and had a team-leading 5 hits. He seemed assured each defensively and with the puck. I believed Jayden Struble would sit out to make room for Adam Engstrom after he struggled towards the Lightning, ending the sport minus-2.
Xhekaj had been taking part in with extra confidence over his final 5 video games and stated he had stopped taking part in with a concern of creating errors. It jogged my memory of Victor Mete’s feedback after the Ottawa Senators claimed him off waivers from the Canadiens in 2021, saying it was exhausting for younger defencemen when the coach is all the time “respiratory down your neck” making a concern of creating any mistake that will end in a benching or being made a wholesome scratch.
Since taking up as head coach nearly 4 years in the past, St. Louis has allowed younger gamers to study from their errors and preserve taking part in so long as they’re one-offs as a substitute of developments. However the coach’s leash appears to be a lot shorter with Xhekaj than different gamers.
When St. Louis was requested by Arpon Basu of The Athletic forward of Tuesday’s recreation towards the Lightning about younger gamers taking part in with out a concern of creating errors the coach used a snowboarding analogy.
“You realize while you’re snowboarding by means of the timber and also you take a look at the house otherwise you take a look at the timber?” St. Louis stated.
Basu responded he’d take a look at the timber.
“Effectively, you’d most likely hit the timber fairly a bit,” St. Louis stated. “To me, the timber are the unfavorable. The house is the constructive. So when you’re always specializing in the unfavorable, one thing dangerous goes to occur. Your thoughts, it turns into your motion. Hockey’s a recreation of errors. We’re making an attempt to restrict them understanding it’s unattainable to go mistake-free. I do know generally it seems to be just like the man made zero errors tonight. However when you actually watch and perceive the sport all people makes errors and generally the errors you make price you extra. However the errors you make are a development or a one-off?
“So for me, the best way we coach our guys, I’m not going to educate the one-off,” St. Louis added. “You coach the developments. So I really feel our gamers are in a reasonably good place mentally due to that, however we’ll keep exhausting on the developments. We’re aggressive with the developments. As a result of when you simply coach the one-off you simply take the instincts out of their recreation. On this play do that, this play ought to have completed that … it’s like now they contact the puck and like: ‘What does he need me to do?’ And the elite gamers change into common since you take their intuition out. And that’s why they’re elite as a result of they’ve higher instincts they usually have the instruments to do what their instincts are telling them.”
What in regards to the non-elite gamers, like Xhekaj?
“They nonetheless bought to this stage,” St. Louis stated. “They’re not the elite of the elite, however there’s nonetheless some elite in them for them to be right here. So we don’t need to handcuff the gamers with a lot teaching — however we do coach the developments.”
Xhekaj can be again within the lineup when the Canadiens play the Rangers on Saturday in New York
(7 p.m., SNE, Metropolis, TVA Sports activities)
with Struble sitting out and goalie Jacob Fowler making his second straight begin.
Hopefully, for Xhekaj’s sake, he doesn’t begin trying on the timber now after being a wholesome scratch.
Olympic watch
Nick Suzuki had an opportunity to audition in entrance of Workforce Canada Olympic head coach Jon Cooper when the Canadiens performed the Lightning.
Issues didn’t go nicely for Suzuki or the Canadiens within the blowout loss. Suzuki picked up an help, however was minus-2. Suzuki did have 4 pictures on aim and received 67 per cent of his faceoffs whereas logging 19:45 of ice time.
St. Louis is aware of Cooper nicely after taking part in for him for 2 seasons with the Lightning throughout his Corridor of Fame profession. Earlier than Tuesday’s recreation, St. Louis was requested if he had spoken with Cooper about Suzuki and Canadiens defenceman Noah Dobson, who have been each invited to the Workforce Canada Olympic orientation camp this previous summer season.
“I talked to Jon this summer season,” St. Louis stated. “He hasn’t reached out for the reason that season started. I really feel if I put myself in Coop’s sneakers I really feel it’s actually exhausting to guage the opponents throughout video games. I really feel you’re so centered in your staff it’s actually exhausting. You most likely have to return and watch. However I do know they’ve an enormous scouting employees and folks concerned in making choices and I’m fairly positive they’ve a reasonably good thought of what that staff’s going to appear like.
“There’s most likely half a dozen guys on the bubble,” St. Louis added. “They’re making an attempt to determine that out. It’s most likely going to come back all the way down to what sort of position match they want. We all know we’ve got gamers within the combine for that — and rightfully so. So I don’t know if Coop’s going to achieve out to me once more, however we’ve undoubtedly had conversations. However I don’t suppose these two video games towards the Lightning goes to tilt it come what may. There’s simply too huge of a physique of labor.”
The Canadiens will play the Lightning once more on Dec. 28 in Tampa. The deadline for Olympic groups to announce their rosters is Dec. 31. The hockey match for the Milano Cortina Olympics in Italy will run from Feb. 11-22.
“There’s not a lot that Nick can’t do,” St. Louis stated. “Nick can play all the best way up and down an all-star lineup. He can play the PP, PK. He can play wing.
“With Noah, he can accomplish that many issues on the ice,” St. Louis added. “Clearly, he’s bought an incredible stick defensively, he’s very heady and offensively he can do the following factor just about all over the place on the ice — whether or not it’s breaking pucks up or transitioning, within the O zone, hitting it from the blue line or taking place the wall and be energetic. Relying on what sort of O-zone technique Workforce Canada’s going to play I really feel like he can do loads, no matter they need to do, and he can kill penalties, play the facility play.”
Suzuki’s probabilities of making the Canadian Olympic staff are good for the explanations St. Louis said, however it could be a giant shock if Dobson earns a spot. Goalie Samuel Montembeault, who was additionally invited to Workforce Canada’s summer season orientation camp and was the third goalie for Canada’s successful staff finally season’s 4 Nations Face-Off, has no likelihood of creating the Olympic staff. Montembeault has actually struggled this season with a 5-6-1 report, a 3.65 goals-against common and a .857 save proportion and has misplaced his No. 1 job with the Canadiens.
Teaching suggestions
Earlier than a current apply in Brossard, St. Louis spent a very long time on the ice speaking with veteran defenceman Mike Matheson whereas utilizing a whiteboard to attract up some sort of performs.
There was a back-and-forth dialogue, which St. Louis stated is one thing he likes to do together with his gamers.
“I bounce stuff off lots of my gamers and particularly the fellows which have that have,” St. Louis stated. “I all the time really feel like as a coach it’s important to persuade your gamers, however generally the gamers can persuade you additionally in order that we’re all satisfied. I really feel having the conversations you’ll be able to actually get on the identical web page and I get pleasure from doing that. I believe as a coach to not hearken to the gamers which have a lot expertise and what if appears like on the market, I believe you’re lacking out.”
Caufield taking part in huge
Cole Caufield was listed at 5-foot-7 and 163 kilos when the Canadiens chosen him within the first spherical (fifteenth general) of the 2019 NHL Draft.
I used to be in Vancouver overlaying that draft. I’m 6-foot-3 and when Caufield was standing beside me doing interviews after being chosen by the Canadiens I used to be considering to myself: “How is that this child going to play within the NHL?”
Different NHL groups have been most likely questioning the identical factor, which is why Caufield dropped to fifteenth within the draft.
Former Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin made a wise transfer drafting Caufield, who has 17 objectives in 30 video games this season and is on tempo to complete with 46 objectives after scoring a career-high 37 objectives final season.
Caufield has change into greater than only a goal-scorer with the Canadiens. He’s now a stable, 200-foot participant and at 5-foot-8 and 175 kilos has added a bodily factor to his recreation, not afraid to throw bodychecks or go to the soiled areas of the ice.
“I’d say I really feel like I’m a greater participant once I’m doing that,” Caufield stated. “It will get me concerned a bit bit extra. However I believe all people’s bought to have the ability to end hits. You won’t make a man fall over, however for me it sort of makes me really feel extra engaged.
“It’s undoubtedly enjoyable when a man does fall over or if he feels it,” Caufield added with a chuckle. “I’m all the time making an attempt.”
Russian connection
When the Canadiens held a Homecoming Night time for former defenceman Andrei Markov on Dec. 3, he had an opportunity to fulfill with rookie ahead and fellow Russian Ivan Demidov.
Did Markov have any recommendation for Demidov, who turned 20 on Wednesday?
“I didn’t give it some thought,” Markov stated. “I requested him how he feels. He feels comfy right here, so it’s good for him. I do know he stayed all summer season right here and hung out within the metropolis. I believe that’s good for him.”
Markov stated fellow Russian Oleg Petrov actually helped him when he joined the Canadiens for the 2000-01 season after being chosen within the sixth spherical (162nd general) of the 1998 NHL Draft.
Longtime hockey author Marc de Foy of the Journal de Montréal informed Markov he remembered him as a “shy child” when he arrived in Montreal.
“I’m nonetheless shy,” Markov stated with a smile. “I didn’t know what to anticipate. I got here from a special nation. Every little thing totally different to me. However we had just a few Russian guys on the staff who helped me loads, plus I met folks exterior of the rink … they helped me loads, too. So then with the years I began to really feel extra comfy.”
Markov remembered throughout his first rookie camp with the Canadiens discovering a Russian restaurant in Montreal, which helped make him really feel at residence.
Markov’s closest good friend with the Canadiens was P.Ok. Subban, who’s something however shy. They have been capable of get collectively when Markov was again in Montreal.
“You guys know P.Ok. is a particular particular person,” Markov stated. “I like him. I respect him. The way in which he by no means tried to be another person … he’s P.Ok. You guys know P.Ok. It seems to be like he’s having fun with life proper now with what he’s doing for a residing (as an NHL analyst with ESPN). So I’m pleased for him.”
Eller having fun with new position with Senators
It was good catching up with Lars Eller when he was on the Bell Centre with the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 2 once they beat the Canadiens 5-2.
Time actually does fly and it was 9 years in the past that Bergevin traded Eller to the Washington Capitals in alternate for a second-round decide on the 2017 NHL Draft (used to pick out centre Joni Ikonen, who by no means performed within the NHL) and a second-round decide in 2018 that was later traded to the Edmonton Oilers in alternate for a third-round decide in 2018 (used to pick out defenceman Jordan Harris, now with the Boston Bruins) and a fifth-round decide in 2018 (used to pick out centre Samuel Houde, who by no means performed within the NHL).
Eller received the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018 and has additionally had stints with the Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 36-year-old has 2-4-6 totals in 28 video games this season as a fourth-line centre with the Senators. He was harm whereas blocking a shot within the Senators’ 6-3 win over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night time in Columbus and is now on the injured listing.
After I requested Eller what he’s most proud about his 17-year NHL profession, he stated: “I believe my consistency. I believe lots of what made me have the ability to have the profession and longevity was lots of sacrifice in the summertime and all through the season to be adaptable. I believe the gamers which can be capable of play that lengthy are additionally capable of verify their ego and have the ability to adapt to perhaps a special position than they’d in thoughts for themselves. And in order that’s a path and journey that lots of gamers are challenged with and a few guys don’t need to adapt and perhaps they go some place else and play otherwise you adapt and also you’re capable of have a protracted profession. So I’m happy with that.”
Returning to Montreal to play on the Bell Centre stays one thing particular for Eller.
“I like coming again right here,” he stated. “I like taking part in on this enviornment. I used to be on the ice and talked with one of many trainers (throughout the morning skate) who was nonetheless there once I began out. I went to dinner with a good friend yesterday. So there’s nonetheless lots of that right here for me once I come again — familiarity and friendships that don’t go away. I believe the one participant now left is (Brendan) Gallagher, so there’s not a lot of that relationship anymore. However there’s nonetheless lots of different issues. It definitely means one thing to me to come back right here.”
Trending up
Jacob Fowler:
He made a formidable NHL debut, stopping 36 of 38 pictures in Thursday’s win over the Penguins after posting a 10-5-0 report as an AHL rookie with the Laval Rocket, together with a 2.09 goals-against common, a .919 save proportion and three shutouts. It seems to be like he’ll get an actual shot now at turning into the Canadiens’ No. 1 goalie.
Cole Caufield:
He has factors in 16 of the final 20 video games with 10-12-22 totals throughout that span.
Brendan Gallagher:
The 33-year-old ended a nine-game goal-less streak when he scored solely his second aim of the season in Pittsburgh. It was Gallagher’s first even-strength aim this season.
Trending down
Samuel Montembeault:
The Canadiens have misplaced six of the final seven video games he has performed in and Montembeault has a .847 save proportion throughout that span. Total for the season, he has a 5-6-1 report with a 3.65 goals-against common and a .857 save proportion.
Jakub Dobes:
He hasn’t been a lot better than Montembeault not too long ago with a .862 save proportion in his final 5 video games. For the season, Dobes has a 10-5-2 report with a 3.15 GAA and a .887 save proportion.
Jake Evans:
He went six video games with out a level earlier than lacking Thursday’s recreation in Pittsburgh for what the staff stated was private causes. Evans, a defensive-minded centre, has the worst plus/minus on the staff at minus-16, which is tied for the fourth-worst within the NHL. Evans can be again within the lineup Saturday night time in New York with Jared Davidson sitting out.
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