TEMPE, Arizona | Jonathan Drouin seems to have wings on the ice since his return, the striker proving he can still give the Canadian good cards.
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He’s only had one assist in the last four games. On the other hand, if we analyze his game in more detail, the Quebecer does several things on the ice that don’t appear on the archway.
Due to Sean Monahan’s injury, Martin St-Louis has decided to replace him at center. Drouin seems to want to seize this opportunity. We feel more engaged and confident.
A chair he wasn’t comfortable in earlier in his career.
“I have more experience,” said Jonathan Drouin. In my first year in Montreal, I struggled in the center. I learned from that. I feel more comfortable in the face-off circle [taux de réussite de 60 % contre les Coyotes]. It helps me mentally when things go well in that regard.
“I feel free. I can use my skate in the middle of the ice with my wingers on either side.
His current performance opens up interesting options for the Canadians’ head coach. Notably, this allowed him to reunite Kirby Dach with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield in Monday’s third period.
“Dach is an excellent hockey player whether he’s playing center or wing,” said Martin St-Louis. What helps us keep him on the wing is Jonathan’s game since his return.
“He feels very comfortable in the center. He plays with a lot of confidence and explosion on the ice. It helps us deal with other things.”
During the month he was absent through injury, he made sure to catch a few games on the runway with his teammates.
“It refreshes you to the rhythm of a game. You think you don’t have time, but you have more than you think. The same applies to the place on the ice rink. It can really help you.”
good in the head
What is striking about Drouin is his attitude. When he meets the journalists he is relaxed and smiling, even if things aren’t going so well on the ice.
“The fact that I feel good is reflected in my game,” said Drouin.
The team spirit that enlivens the Habs changing room also has something to do with it.
“There are always positive and cheerful people this year,” explained number 27. We have youngsters who want to learn and help the team. We have fun.”
In defense of Slaf
During the game against the Coyotes, Drouin made a gesture that surprised many. After a hard check from Shayne Gostisbehere against Juraj Slafkovsky, the striker went for the opposing defender.
He invited Gostisbehere to a little dance in the middle of the ice. But it didn’t go any further.
“I didn’t see the check. I only saw Slaf on the ground, said Drouin. For once he was my size. I’ve struggled in juniors, but it wasn’t to my advantage.
It’s a sequence that does a good job of illustrating Drouin’s state of mind, but also the culture settling in Canadian.