Martin St-Louis will have reinforcements on the blue line for Saturday’s visit of the Winnipeg Jets to the Bell Centre. Kaiden Guhle was absent from the last four games and will wear the CH jersey.
The Journal offers you five elements to keep in mind at this meeting.
1 – Guhle with Justin Barron
Guhle suffered an upper-body injury against the Minnesota Wild and was given the green light by doctors to return to the game.
“I didn’t stay away longer than expected, but followed the plan,” said the 21-year-old defender. I was told about an absence that would be assessed daily or over several weeks. I’m just happy to be able to play again. I feel like I’ve had too many injuries over the last few seasons. When you’re ready to play, you have no choice but to get excited. »
Guhle will form a duo on the blue line with Justin Barron. Mike Matheson therefore sticks with Johnathan Kovacevic, his partner in the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
2 – A first game for Armia
Joel Armia will also have the opportunity to return to action. CH recalled on October 21 that Armia had followed the last four games on the press channel. When the Jets, one of his former teams, visit, Armia will replace Jesse Ylönen on the right wing of the fourth line.
Before his dismissal, the Finn had shown good pace with the Laval Rocket and scored five points (4 goals, 1 assist) in four games.
“His attitude toward the Rocket didn’t surprise me,” St-Louis said. The army is a professional. He is a very good person. I’m happy for him that he gets a chance tonight. »
3 – All in front of the net
After Cayden Primeau against the Devils and Samuel Montembeault against the Blue Jackets, Jake Allen will once again defend the Habs net.
Allen deserved to be active again. He has two wins in his last two starts against the Sabers in Buffalo and the Capitals at the Bell Center. In his last two games, he posted a 1.49 average and .957 efficiency.
4 – The Jets still without Rick Bowness
The Jets will play a third game without head coach Rick Bowness. He remained at the bedside of his wife, Judy, who suffered a stroke Sunday evening.
Scott Arniel took over as head coach.
5 – Connor: a threat
The Jets are 4-3-0 after seven games this season. Kyle Connor leads the team with five goals. With 10 goals and 22 points in 19 games, the American was always successful against the Habs.
Photo Martin Chevalier
In addition to Connor, Mark Scheifele (4 goals, 3 assists) and Joshua Morrissey (1 goal, 6 assists) also got off to good starts.
The probable formation of the CH
Caufield-Suzuki-Harvey-Pinard
Slafkovsky-Newhook-Anderson
Pearson-Monahan-Gallagher
Pezzetta Evans Armia
Matheson Kovacevic
Guhle Barron
Xhekaj Harris
Allen
The probable formation of the jets
Connor Scheifele Iafallo
Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
Barron Kupari Gustafsson
Morrissey DeMelo
Dillon Pionk
Samberg Schmidt
Hellebuyck