The Montreal Canadiens conducted an optional training session this morning in preparation for tonight’s game.
Martin St-Louis’ men will be looking to get back on the winning track against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a task that doesn’t necessarily look easy at first glance.
Yesterday, the Canadiens trained at the Bell Centre because it was team photo day. RHP jumped on the ice with his team-mates, but had to leave practice because he was visibly bothered by his lower-body injury.
The good news, however, is that he was part of the CH’s morning practice today. Seeing him skate is a good sign:
Raphaël Harvey-Pinard takes part in the CH’s morning training session. #rds
– Luc Gelinas (@LucGelinasRDS) November 7, 2023
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We still don’t know if he’ll take part in tonight’s game against the Lightning, but it would be surprising if this is his first training session since his injury.
There’s no point in rushing things and risking anything in his case, we agree. If he’s not ready to play, he’s not ready.
Cayden Primeau trained with the group, but the goaltender also jumped on the ice ahead of his teammates to receive instructions from Éric Raymond, the CH goaltending coach.
Will he get the start against Tampa Bay, a team brimming with offensive talent and boasting the hottest player in the National League in Nikita Kucherov?
The Lightning’s star forward has collected nine points in his last two games.
In closing, Sean Monahan, Alex Newhook and Brendan Gallagher were absent from training this morning, but are expected to be in uniform tonight (barring any surprises).
In gusto
It will be interesting to see the trio combinations Martin St-Louis will employ.
It’s questionable whether Juraj Slafkovsky will get another chance to shine on the club’s first unit, and I expect he will because he had a good game against the Blues.
Will Jesse Ylönen return to Martin St-Louis’ line-up, after losing his place to Michael Pezzetta in the last game?
All remains to be seen between now and puckdrop.