Author: Dose

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Martin St-Louis made his boys sweat

Today, the Canadiens had a practice on the menu.

But several minutes before taking to the ice, the club announced that veteran defenseman David Savard would be enjoying a day of treatments in preparation for practice.

It happens a lot to veterans… and yesterday, the Habs were facing shots from Alex Ovechkin. He blocked a few shots.

Obviously, we were all anxious to see how the guys would react after yesterday’s tough game. Was practice going to be intense for Martin St-Louis’ men?

Clearly, the answer is yes. Patrick Friolet reports that defensive retreats were at the heart of practice, and that they got the guys skating.

We also note that Martin St-Louis had his men skate without the pucks a little later. And it wasn’t because the equipment manager had picked up the pucks too quickly, we agree.

So the coach made his guys skate and sweat.

Yesterday, Martin St-Louis talked about vomit to illustrate his displeasure… and this lunchtime, he arranged for the guys to maybe be afraid to throw up a little. He’s probably still angry.

Is that hard coaching I see on the horizon?

Overtime

– What’s your answer?

– Please note.

– CF Montreal: best youth core in all of MLS.

– Still, intense.

– Of course.

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Cayden Primeau: “If this keeps up, you’ll put him in the waivers”

Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images

There are a number of clear observations to be made about the Montreal Canadiens’ performance so far this season.

The one that stands out the most is, of course, the fact that the team is giving up far too many goals.

Only two NHL teams – the Habs’ opponents tonight, the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks – have allowed as many or more goals than the Habs this season.

The Habs have allowed 47 in 11 games, the Penguins 49 in 12 games and the Sharks 47 in 12 games.

In short, it’s clear that Martin St-Louis’s troupe is scoring far too many goals against.

And this is obviously due to defensive shortcomings in a messy, complicated system, but also to the more-than-ordinary performances of the goaltenders.

Apart from Samuel Montembeault’s incredible start to the season, the Habs’ two goalkeepers (Montembeault and Cayden Primeau) don’t often give their team a chance to win, or at least don’t save their defenders’ mistakes.

This leads us to believe that the Habs are currently paying a high price for their goaltenders, and that if things continue to go this way, one of them could end up being Primeau.

In fact, according to Stu Cowan, if Primeau’s situation continues, he should be placed in the waivers.

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Indeed, the hockey analyst made it clear during his appearance on The Sick Podcast recently, when he made it clear that for him, it can’t go on like this.

If Primeau doesn’t deliver the goods and doesn’t give his team a chance to win, he has to be sent to the waivers.

Cowan then adds that yes, it’s a risk, but in the end, if the Habs lose him, well, they lose him and that’s it.

He’s clearly out of patience with Primeau, and for him, it takes an electroshock.

Cowan also explained that, personally, he would have put Primeau in the waivers last year, in order to keep Jake Allen and Samuel Montembeault with the Habs.

For him, losing Allen, an experienced veteran who brought a lot of positive energy to the dressing room, was a mistake.

Primeau has never really delivered consistently in the NHL, and it doesn’t look like that’s about to change.

It’s a shame, but that’s life, and for real, the Habs could get by without Primeau, whereas in the AHL right now, the Laval Rocket can count on an excellent goaltending duo.

Jakub Dobes and Connor Hughes have taken the team on their backs, and are largely responsible for the Rocket’s excellent start to the season (7-1-0).

And let’s not forget Jacob Fowler, who is simply dominant in the NCAA.

In short, all this remains to be seen, but frankly, it’s fair to say that patience is wearing thin in Primeau’s case.

Overtime

– Congratulations!

– Indeed.

– Read more.

– To watch in the MLB.

– Too bad.

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Mike Babcock attended the Rocket game in Laval yesterday

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 5: Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock returns to the locker room before playing the Los Angeles Kings at the Scotiabank Arena on November 5, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Laval Rocket are off to an incredible start to the season under Pascal Vincent.

After eight games, the Laval team has a record of seven wins and one loss, good for 14 points.

The Rocket is sitting in first place in the North Division, and everything seems to be going perfectly for the club, which is putting on an exciting show for its fans at Place Bell.

Last night, the Rocket won 2-1 against the Providence Bruins at Place Bell thanks to a magnificent performance by goaltender Connor Hughes.

With only 14 shots on net, the Rocket was lucky to escape with both points in regulation time.

We have to believe that the support of the fans and a certain Mike Babcock (yes, yes) propelled the team to victory.

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The former head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets was in attendance at Place Bell last night.

He came to Quebec to see the team of Pascal Vincent, his former colleague with the Columbus Blue Jackets, with whom he spent the early part of the season before being fired.

One wonders whether the two men took the time to talk to each other.

Babcock will have seen a fine Rocket victory, while he must have enjoyed scouting for his own benefit.

It’s clear that the former coach eats hockey, even if he no longer has a job in the NHL.

In fact, one wonders if Babcock will be back at Place Bell this afternoon, when the Rocket are back in action against the same Providence Bruins.

If so, Babcock will once again be treated to a Rocket that’s not 100%.

Alex Barré-Boulet, Filip Mesar, Jakub Dobes, David Reinbacher and now Jared Davidson are all injured.

Davidson will miss this afternoon’s game.

Let’s hope it’s nothing serious in his case, because he’s off to a great start this season with six points, including four goals, in eight games.

– Ouchhhh.

– Very cool.

– Indeed.

– So much the better.

– Well done.

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Arber Xhekaj will take Justin Barron’s place tonight against the Penguins

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action tonight, as the Habs are on the road again, this time to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins.

The Habs will be looking to get back to winning ways after two tough losses this week, an 8-2 defeat by the Seattle Kraken and a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals.

In preparation for this game, Martin St-Louis spoke to the media at lunchtime, and took the opportunity to announce a change to the line-up.

Arber Xhekaj will take Justin Barron’s place on defense.

It’s a change that comes as no surprise, given that since the start of the season, there’s been some rotation on defense to allow all the guys to play games and stay in shape.

Obviously, it’s good news for Xhekaj, who will have another opportunity to shine after playing two good games last weekend.

It was obviously more difficult for the sheriff against the Kraken on Tuesday, which cost him his place in the line-up on Thursday against the Caps.

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In short, Xhekaj will still have to prove himself in the line-up tonight if he wants to earn more games and more ice time under Martin St-Louis, who, it should be remembered, doesn’t seem to be his biggest fan.

Otherwise, in net, Samuel Montembeault will get his first start since the thaw against the Kraken on Tuesday.

This will be an important game for Montembeault, who will obviously want to bounce back, and above all regain the confidence he’s really lost in recent games.

In short, let’s hope these changes and Martin St-Louis’s intense practice yesterday will help the team get back on the winning track.

Overtime

– Another game for the Rocket this afternoon.

– Stay tuned.

– Interesting.

– Happy birthday guys!

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Arnaud Gascon-Nadon made a number of shocking revelations on Stanley25.

In life, there are people you’re tired of seeing and hearing…

The same goes for the media.

It seems like every time we turn on the TV or radio, they’re there, talking about sports or politics…

But on the other hand, there are also people who benefit from being known. People who, every time we hear them or meet them, we tell ourselves they should have more space in the media portrait. Arnaud Gascon-Nadon clearly belongs to this second group.

We had Arnaud on the Stanley25 podcast this week, and frankly, he gave a lot more than the client asked for. So much the better!

Arnaud talked about the parties that last at least a week after winning a Grey Cup, the time the Alouettes didn’t keep their word to draft him, how he didn’t give a damn about the CFL (he was all about the NFL), the time he got kicked out of the CFL combine, the reality of being Guy Nadon’s son, a party with Lightning players in Tampa, the reality of being Guy Nadon’s son, a party with Lightning players in Tampa, a hidden party spot in Gatineau, nicotine patches taken by athletes, Henry Burris’s incredible ability to split, anti-inflammatories in sports, Étienne Boulay’s, Tony Marinaro’s, Jean-Charles Lajoie’s, Éric Duhaime’s parties and endless nights at the Bungalow (a bar on Mont-Royal Street) with Canadiens players (Prust, Galchenyuk, Gallagher, Rene Bourque, etc.) the night before CHL games.) the night before Habs games.

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Arnaud also droppped that many hockey players were making powder a few hours before a game, or the day before…

“It’s powder that hockey guys do before they go out to play […] if it’s not before, it’s the night before!”

And that a large majority of football players smoked weed before games in order to relax their bodies and minds.

In closing, Arnaud confessed that 80% of games he didn’t feel like playing. And he wasn’t the only one!

Don’t be put off; go and listen to AGN45 on Stanley25 !

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“The Canadiens allow more goals than in Dominique Ducharme’s worst moments”

MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 4: Martin St-Louis head coach of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during the warm-up of the NHL regular season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell Centre on April 4, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Vitor Munhoz/NHLI via Getty Images)

I know it, you know it: things aren’t going very well for the Canadiens these days. They’re getting beaten more often than not, and it’s often because they’re giving away a ton of goals.

Over the past ten days, they’ve lost games in which they’ve allowed seven, eight and six goals. It’s hard to win when your opponent scores so often.

So for a while now, we’ve been talking about the young brigade, the man-to-man system, the goalies who aren’t doing their job and the coaches’ job, for one simple reason: the results are catastrophic on the ice.

And yesterday, at around the 9-minute mark of the podcast Sortie de zone(La Presse, 98.5 FM), Alexandre Pratt made a statement that, at first glance, seems intense:

The Canadiens allow more goals than in Dominique Ducharme’s worst moments. – Alexandre Pratt

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Now, while that may seem like a bit of an exaggeration considering the bad memories of that distant era, it’s not completely untrue either.

In 11 games so far this season, the Habs have allowed 46 goals. That’s appalling, but in reality, the Habs under Ducharme have seen worse: in January 2022 (just before the coaching change), the Canadiens allowed 54 goals in 11 games.

However, to take this last statistic out of context would be a tad dishonest. At the time, the club was completely decimated by injuries, and for a game or two, the COVID-19 forced the Habs to play with a few less players.

The Habs’ 2024-25 edition doesn’t have such excuses. Kaiden Guhle’s absence hurt the club, of course, but apart from a few guys who missed games here and there, the club is generally healthy.

And don’t make me believe that Patrik Laine is making the team concede more goals.

Eventually, Martin St-Louis’ “concepts” will have to translate into results. I’m one of those people who didn’t really believe in the Habs’ chances of making the playoffs this year, and I was expecting a year of misery, but there are ways of losing that are unacceptable.

And since the start of the season, the Canadiens have been finding them one after the other. That’s got to change.

Overtime

– Phew.

– Pierre Houde honored with Hewitt Award. [NHL]

– Hats off.

– Will it happen?

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#13 : Johnny Gaudreau brings luck to the NHL’s top scorers

MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 9: Cole Caufield #13 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period of the NHL regular season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on October 9, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Vitor Munhoz/NHLI via Getty Images)

Before the start of the NHL season, the death of the Gaudreau brothers was a tragedy that left its mark on the hockey world. We’re talking about two deaths that should never have happened and that, unfortunately, served as yet another reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving.

That said, the tragedy united the hockey community, who paid tribute to both men. In Montreal, Cole Caufield changed his number to #13 in tribute to Johnny Gaudreau.

It was a fitting tribute to his childhood idol.

And clearly, in 2024-25, Gaudreau’s #13 is a lucky charm. This morning, when we look at the league’s top scorers this season, we see that the three players at the top are all wearing #13.

We’re talking about Nico Hischier, Cole Caufield and Sam Reinhart.

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We know that #13 is often associated with bad luck, but that’s clearly not the case so far in the NHL. All three guys are scoring goals at a breakneck pace, and they’re all off to exceptional starts to the season.

It’s not a huge sample, but they’ve all played a dozen games.

We also note that #13 seems to be bringing luck to Alexis Lafrenière, who has 10 points in 10 games so far this season. He seems to have reached a new level this season, scoring another goal last night.

And again, even though it’s very early, we note that if the season ended today, the Blue Jackets would be in the playoffs. As of today, they would get the eighth and final spot to enter the spring dance.

Whether or not Gaudreau’s #13 really brings luck to the players who wear it, and whether it really helps the Blue Jackets get off to a great start, is up to you, but either way, it’s a great way to look at it.

Overtime

– Great reading.

– He’s so impressive.

– Peter DeBoer and Paul Maurice are good friends.

– Beautiful moment.

– Too bad.

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Owen Beck plays like a guy who wants to replace Christian Dvorak in Montreal

Things haven’t exactly been going great for the Canadiens for a while now. The club has lost six of its last eight games, but what’s most worrying is the way it’s losing them.

They’re not just losing, they’re being consistently outplayed.

And among the guys being singled out is Christian Dvorak. The veteran isn’t exactly playing inspired hockey, and right now, he’s hurting more than he’s helping the Habs’ cause.

So, right now, we’re thinking there might be (at least) one chair up for grabs in Montreal. And if there’s one person who understands that, it’s Owen Beck.

Yesterday, for example, the kid scored this beautiful shorthanded goal, which turned out to be the winning goal for the Rocket in a game where the club was somewhat saved by its goaltender, Connor Hughes.

The club-school is now 7-1-0, despite an overflowing infirmary.

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For the time being, the only reinforcement the Habs will have is in-house. Early-season deals in the NHL are very rare, and often a club has to overpay massively to get reinforcement at this stage of the season.

And that’s not Kent Hughes’ usual way of doing things.

Beck, for his part, seems well aware of this. The youngster has five points in his last five games, and already feels like a fish in water in the pros. It hasn’t been too difficult to adapt to a guy who already played pro-style in junior.

I’m not telling you this morning that the Habs should recall Owen Beck right away. In fact, letting him mature a few more months in the Rocket’s environment (which, at the moment, is much rosier than the Canadiens’) may not be a bad thing.

That said, no one is going to convince me this morning that Beck would do worse than Dvorak in the NHL. The Habs would be thin on right-handed centers with such a change, but Dvorak is a problem right now, and if we want immediate reinforcement, it will have to come from within.

I’d have told you about Michael Hage, who made that sublime pass yesterday, but he’s in the NCAA. At best, he’ll be in town at the very end of the season… if he doesn’t go back for another year in the NCAA in 2025-26.

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Beck isn’t the only option (Joshua Roy is a recurring name, and Brandon Gignac also does a good job if the club wants a veteran), but right now he’s playing like a guy who wants to take Dvorak’s chair with the Canadiens.

The question is whether he’ll take that chair next season… or in a few weeks’ time.

Overtime

– Speaking of Habs prospects.

– What do you think?

– It was Les Boys night in Quebec City yesterday.

– Impressive.

– We wish him the best.

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Kirby Dach has the worst differential in the NHL

I know, I know: differential in the NHL of 2024 is worth what it’s worth. I understand that – and I’m the first to say it’s not the most meaningful statistic.

However, like a reliever’s win-loss record in baseball, it’s worth something… if you go to extremes.

That’s why I can say that seeing Kirby Dach ranked last in the NHL (688th out of 688) with a differential of -12 isn’t exactly a promising statistic.

(Credit: NHL.com)

I know, I know: the season is young. I’m also the first to say that you have to take your time with a guy coming back from injury.

But the fact remains that it’s now November. To see a Habs player in last place in the league – and his line-mate, Alex Newhook (-9), in 682nd – is NOT a good sign.

What does -12 mean?

When you break it down, you see that Dach, who has played 11 games, has been on the ice for 12 more opponent goals than Flanelle goals at even strength. That’s more than one goal per game, which is no mean feat.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that the forward needs to correct his defensive game. Did he get the message when he saw that this morning, several Canadiens players also urged Martin St-Louis to take care of the club’s defensive game?

After all, it can’t go on like this.

The good news for him? When Kirby Dach and the Canadiens are eliminated from the playoff race, maybe he’ll have a leg up on his teammates on the golf course.

-12, that’s good golf.

Overtime

– Wow.

– Arber Xhekaj’s penalty against Philly is still the talk of the town.[RG]

– Indeed.

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Top-5: when the Lightning and Wild play with… two pucks

Yesterday was a busy day in the NHL, with six games on the schedule.

Let’s take a look at what happened on the Bettman circuit:

1. When Lightning and Wild play with… two pucks

Normally, in hockey, the aim of the game is quite simple: take the puck off the ice and try to put it in the opposing net. So far, I’m not telling you anything new.

Last night, however, the Wild and Lightning were ingenious: they figured that with two pucks on the ice, it would double the fun.

The result was this… bizarre sequence.

Obviously, there’s a slightly more logical explanation for this situation: during a previous stoppage of play, a puck had lodged itself in the net, but nobody had seen it. It was then dislodged… and ended up on the ice.

Poor Andrei Vasilevskiy was therefore quite confused to see his team-mate prepare a zone exit with the puck… when at the same time, Marco Rossi also had a puck and was just inches away from him.

You don’t see that every day, do you?

The rest of the game was played with just one puck… but that didn’t stop Kirill Kaprizov from shining with it. In a 5-3 win, he scored three points, including his team’s third goal.

His 21 points this season put him at the top of the NHL…

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2. Aleksander Barkov shines in front of his fans in Finland

Yesterday afternoon saw some action in the NHL, as the Panthers and Stars, who both have Finnish star players, crossed swords in Finland.

In particular, the Stars let their three Finns do a solo lap of the ice during warm-up… but poor Miro Heiskanen tripped on the ice. Oops.

However, both clubs played a very attacking game. A total of 10 goals were scored in the match, including three by Finnish players.

Aleksander Barkov led the charge with four points, including this goal.

A 6-4 victory for the Panthers, who win the first game of a series of two duels in two days in Finland.

Nice moment for Barkov at the end of the game, by the way, as he was named player of the game in his native country.

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3. Flames fans taunt Jacob Markstrom

This summer, the Flames traded Jacob Markstrom to the Devils. It was a big deal, as one of the league’s best goaltenders changed addresses.

And for the Devils, it was an opportunity to plug a hole in their roster.

But last night, Markstrom was back in Calgary… and he gave up three goals to his former club, all in the third period. This led the fans on hand to taunt their former player.

What didn’t help Markstrom’s cause was that his opponent, Dan Vladar, didn’t flinch all evening.

He blanked the Devils, helping the Flames to a 3-0 victory.

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4. Hat trick for Nikolaj Ehlers

The Winnipeg Jets are on fire this season. The club is winning games non-stop, and yesterday, the Jets could become the first NHL team to reach the 10-win mark.

And Nikolaj Ehlers clearly understands this. The Dane was on fire last night, scoring a hat trick before the end of the second period.

He was dominant.

Josh Morrissey, Gabe Vilardi and Mason Appleton also contributed to the Jets’ 6-2 win over the Blue Jackets.

10 wins this season for the Jets.

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5. Worrying scene for Mike Reilly

Yesterday, the Islanders were in Buffalo to take on the Sabres. While there were a few good moments of hockey, it was a scene early in the second period that caught the eye.

And for all the wrong reasons.

When Mike Reilly was near the boards, Jordan Greenway hit him hard… and it took Reilly a long time to get up.

The stretcher was taken out, but Reilly was able to skate away, albeit aided by his team-mates.

However, the Islanders found a way to avenge their team-mate’s loss with victory.

Maxim Tsyplakov’s fine goal helped the Isles to victory.

Extension

– Alexis Lafrenière scored last night.

– Quite a shot from Artemi Panarin.

– The Finns stole the show at yesterday’s match in Finland.

– 1000 NHL games for Mikael Backlund.

– Top scorers of the night.

(Credit: Screenshot/NHL.com)

– Big day ahead.

(Credit: Screenshot/Google)

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