|
In Hainsight: Final Decisions Looming |
|
|
|
|
|
Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey
The Habs’ final preseason game was an entertaining affair with a 6-4 win over the Senators who had chosen to ice an AHL line-up. Even though the Canadiens had most of their regulars, it wasn’t an easy game for them by any means, as some of the team’s issues were painfully obvious. For instance, deficiencies in defensive coverage and a lack of communication and understanding lead to a few of the Senators’ goals. Just like in the other preseason games, the goaltending was far from ideal, and Samuel Montembeault gave up four goals on 25 shots.
Not even one of the Canadiens’ three remaining goaltenders at camp has really stepped up and while many saw Montembeault as the clear number one going in, last night’s performance only muddled the waters further. Early in the third period, he gave up two goals in 16 seconds, allowing Ottawa to take the lead for the first time of the evening and for the next several minutes, the Habs looked positively shell shocked. They were eventually able to shake it off, but this team needs a goaltender who’s able to inspire confidence and last night, Montembeault was anything but that.
Meanwhile, Justin Barron probably sealed his fate with yet another week performance that should see him start a second season in a row in Laval. Mattias Norlinder who has impressed at times during the camp, also had a tough night at the office and it might cost him since he doesn’t need to go through waivers to land in Laval unlike Gustav Lindstrom.
Up front, Emil Heineman showed that he can bring a very physical side to his game and that he could be used on an energy line, but the fact that he’s waiver exempt could play against him. As for Joel Armia, he once again looked uninterested and disengaged, but it remains to be seen if the Habs brass will dare to waive him, they would have some grounds to do it, but burying a vet in the AHL is a rare occurrence in Montreal.
It wasn’t all bad though, Mike Matheson impressed in his first game of the preseason and his sole presence made the power play look much more threatening, even though it failed to score on all five opportunities. It was off the rebound of one of his shots that Juraj Slafkovsky opened the score just 30 seconds in. Speaking of the sophomore, he has had a much better camp then he did last year and looks like a changed man. He’s not afraid of going into traffic and he’s much stronger and steadier on his skates, making him much more well equipped for net front battles and duels on the boards. He’s also much more confident and he’s not afraid of taking some shots and taking his chances.
Kirby Dach has also had an impressive camp and the budding chemistry that appears to be developing between him and Slafkovsky is a joy to see. The big center seems like he could be the key to unlocking the young Slovakian’s potential. Alex Newhook who was completing the second line on the night was absolutely flying on the ice and his speed forced the Senators to take a couple of penalties.
Arber Xhekaj who was so keen to drop the gloves last season showed great restraint and resisted the temptation to take the few scrums that marked the night any further. That’s not to say he isn’t still an intimidating force on the ice though as exhibited by the way he just plucked a couple of Senators forwards like they were ripe apples on a tree during one of the said scrums. The blueliner also got himself a goal in impressive fashion as his shot literally went through the net.
Captain Nick Suzuki was in fine form, picking up a goal and an assist and shining brightly at the faceoff dot, winning 73% of his duels. Rafael Harvey-Pinard didn’t look out of place on the first line and had himself a good night, his tenacity lead to Cole Caufield’s game-winning goal.
Overall, this final preseason game was entertaining as they come and now that training camp is finished, we can only wait for the final roster decisions. Today around 2:00 PM, teams have to submit the names of the players they are waiving so we’ll know then if the Canadiens will start the season with three goaltenders in order to avoid losing one for nothing and if patience has finally worn off with Joel Armia. The teams have until tomorrow at 5:00 PM to submit their final roster to the league so we’ll know soon enough who will be the Canadiens’ 23-man roster to kick off the season.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»