If there was a time when every tough player available was guaranteed to be in the lineup against the Boston Bruins, those days are seemingly over.
Michael Pezzetta and Jayden Struble will be left out this Thursday night, while Colin White and Jordan Harris will be back.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Michael Pezzetta
Harris had skipped his turn in the last match; As for White, he returns to the game after nursing an “upper body” injury. His presence will allow the Habs to count on four natural center players.
White was injured in training last week when he came into contact with a goal post. “At the time, it seemed okay, but when I woke up the next day, it was stiff,” the veteran explained Thursday morning. He said he was “excited” to return to action, having only played five games with the Habs after being claimed on waivers.
“I liked what I saw (of him). I think he fits well with the team’s style of play,” Martin St-Louis said of White.
PHOTO DAVID KIROUAC, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Colin White
The head coach did not, moreover, comment on his choices in relation to the squad deployed against the Bruins. Struble’s withdrawal, however, comes as no surprise. The day before, St-Louis had admitted that his game was “not at the level of what he showed us”. The Press had also dissected the slump that the young man is currently going through.
After missing four full practices in a row, Juraj Slafkovsky was absent from the morning skate on Thursday. His presence against the Bruins is however not compromised, according to Martin St-Louis, who did not provide details on the forward’s state of health. “I let the medical team do its job,” he said. Slafkovsky may have been injured blocking a shot against the Tampa Bay Lightning almost two weeks ago.
Defense first
This clash against the Bruins will also be the fourth and last of the season between the two teams. The CH won the first duel at home in November, but was downgraded during its two visits to Massachusetts, suffering defeats of 5-2 and 9-4.
Rafaël Harvey-Pinard pleaded for a flawless defensive effort from his club in order to contain a “truly complete” team.
“We will have to be opportunistic (in attack), but play well defensively first,” he insisted.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Rafael Harvey-Pinard
“It’s a very organized, disciplined team,” continued Martin St-Louis. Their game team is excellent. This is not a team that is going to shoot itself in the foot. You have to be patient and play their game. If we wake up their attack, it’s going to be difficult. »
That being said, the Canadian does not have to justify himself again for the discomfiture of last January 20, he believes.
“We played two good periods, and the third, we escaped,” recalled the coach. But we haven’t played many periods like that this year. I think it was an exception. »
Samuel Montembeault will defend the Montreal net. His opposite will be Linus Ullmark.
The Bruins are repositioning themselves
The Bruins, after an up-and-down streak, have a 3-1-1 record in their last five outings. “We just talk about our preparation for the playoffs,” said their head coach Jim Montgomery on Thursday morning. We want to play according to our identity, in the way that gives us success. » That is to say by imposing a sustained forecheck in the offensive zone and by practicing a “physical” game in front of both nets. “We know what it should look like on the ice, but it’s hard to do it consistently,” Montgomery continued. The Bostonians are currently three points behind the Florida Panthers, leaders of the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Association.
reference: www.lapresse.ca