There’s the opening meeting at the Bell Center, but also a visit from a young 18-year-old prodigy. In his second game of the season, but a first in Montreal, the Canadian will play against the Chicago Blackhawks.
• Also read: First game in the Bell Center for Connor Bedard: “It will be something special”
• Also read: Connor Bedard will reunite with Martin St-Louis
• Also read: This former Remparts man ultimately convinced the Oilers
The Journal offers you five elements to keep in mind when playing this game.
1 – Connor Bedard
Photo Martin Chevalier
Bedard will step onto the NHL ice for the third time. He scored an assist in his debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He scored a goal in his second game against the Boston Bruins.
“Everyone says it’s a great place to play,” Bedard said of the Bell Center after a Blackhawks practice Friday in Brossard. The atmosphere is electric and the fans are passionate. »
2 – Departure from Montembeault
Photo Martin Chevalier
Samuel Montembeault will be the trusted goalkeeper for Martin St-Louis and Éric Raymond in this local opening. Despite finishing last season as number one, Montembeault was on the bench for the first game of the season. Jake Allen started against the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Wednesday.
3 – No change
Photo Martin Chevalier
The CH decided on an optional training session on Saturday morning. On the eve of the game against the Hawks, St-Louis had kept his formation intact. Michael Pezzetta and Justin Barron should therefore watch a second game in a row from the press bridge. The same goes for Cayden Primeau, the team’s third goalie.
4 – A pride for Harvey-Pinard
Photo Martin Chevalier
Rafaël Harvey-Pinard wore the Habs jersey for 34 games last year, scoring 14 goals and 6 assists. By taking part in a first inaugural meeting in Montreal, he will take another step in his young career. He will therefore have the pleasure of hearing the voice of Michel Lacroix pronouncing his name during the players’ presentation.
Harvey-Pinard will remain on the left wing of the fourth line alongside Jake Evans and Jesse Ylönen. This unit got off to a good start in Toronto, scoring two goals (one for Evans and one for Ylönen).
5 – Matheson with all the sauces
Photo MARTIN ALARIE / LE JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL
Mike Matheson will spend a lot of time on the ice this season. It’s no surprise. In his first game in Toronto, the Montrealer dominated his team with a playing time of 26 minutes and 39 seconds. He also played 3:41 in the penalty shootout. Only David Savard achieved more playing time in the four-on-five game (4 min. 27 sec.).
With the departure of Joel Edmundson, the second-most used defenseman in penalty kills last year after Savard, Matheson will have even greater responsibility this year.
“Mike is a very good skater, he can play big minutes and a defender of his caliber has all sorts of skills,” St-Louis said Friday. We know it is important in every way. »
The Probable Origin of the Canadian
Caufield-Suzuki-Anderson
Newhook-Roof-Slafkovsky
Pearson-Monahan-Gallagher
Harvey-Pinard-Evans-Ylönen
Matheson Savard
Guhle Kovacevic
Xhekaj Harris
Montembeault