OTTAWA | With the exception of the fate of Juraj Slafkovsky, this camp was all about the blue line for the Canadians. We knew there would be several young wolves fighting for the last two or three places.
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In the middle of this camp, after four games, the structure of the CH defense brigade remains an unsolved mystery. But in the offices of Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes, the pieces have to move constantly.
With Kaiden Guhle starring after a 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell Center on Thursday, it was Justin Barron’s turn to take the torch.
Happy with Matheson
Barron gained points in that other Blue, White and Red loss. The Canadiens, visiting the nation’s capital, gambled away a two-goal lead late in the game to lose 5-4 to the Senators in overtime.
In his third preseason game, Barron scored, had an assist and finished with a +3 record in 19 minutes and 46 seconds.
“I’m not happy with the ending, I don’t like losing but I was happy to be on the top scorer,” admitted the former Colorado Avalanche first-round pick. I increased my game offensively. I also feel good having Mike Matheson as a partner, he’s such a good defender. He runs like the wind. I’m lucky enough to be able to count on him. »
Martin St-Louis had good words for his young defender.
“I liked his game, he defended well and was involved offensively,” said the head coach. It will give him confidence. He knows he’s in a battle for position. »
“Every player has their moments,” St-Louis continued. There’s always a guy that stands out. They have to keep playing well to make our job harder. This is a good problem for a team. Young people know there is a struggle. »
Jake Evans scored twice for the visitors, but Shane Pinto and Alex DeBrincat also got braces for the winners.
DeBrincat, who was acquired by the Blackhawks this summer, once again showed he’s a born goalscorer. He scored the winning goal in extra time.
What we noticed…
A LIQUID SKATER
Mike Matheson has always had a reputation for being a quick defender with the ability to revive offense. The sample size remains small, but the former Panthers and Penguins has looked like a worthy defender of the first pair since this camp began. He still had a strong match with Justin Barron as his partner.
ROOKIE VS Veteran
Owen Beck received another audition skating center from Jonathan Drouin and Mike Hoffman. The second-round pick (33rd overall) in the 2022 draft hit the post while deflecting a pass from Drouin. In the face-off circle, the center did not have the same contact. He won 7 of his 17 attempts (41%). Derick Brassard, 35, was invited to Camp des Sens and dominated the youngster (5 of 6).
AT HOME
Claude Giroux wanted to continue his career with the Senators. It’s like coming home for the former Gatineau Olympiques. In his first preseason game at the Canadian Tire Center, the Franco-Ontarian played on the right wing with Derick Brassard and Alex DeBrincat. Giroux had three assists, including two on goals by Shane Pinto.
COURAGE
Ridly Greig, a first-round pick (28th) by the Sens in 2020, picked up points for his bravery that game. In the first he blocked two powerful shots on the same sequence and in the second he started the same game again but this time he blocked a single strike. Armia, Matheson and Barron probably gave him some bruises.
+
baron
There’s Evans with two goals and Pitlick with one goal and one assist, but Justin Barron deserves the star as he’s fighting for a position unlike the two veterans.
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Hoffman
Mike Hoffman was completely invisible against his former team. Despite almost 18 minutes of play, he didn’t manage a single shot in the direction of the opposing net
First period
1-MON: Jake Evans (1) (Pitlick)16:54
2-MON: Jake Evans (2) (Matheson)19:01
Penalties: Jarventie (Ott) 2:18, Matheson (Mon) 2:47
second period
3-OTT: Alex DeBrincat (1) (Brannstrom) 7:41
4-MON: Rem Pitlick (1) (Ylonen, Barron) 14:49
5-OTT: Shane Pinto (2) (Giroux, Sanderson)AN-15:54
Penalties: Jarventie (Ott) 12:48, Guhle (Mon) 15:48, Harvey-Pinard (Mon) 20:00
third period
6-MON: Justin Barron (1) (Pezzetta) 10:33
7-OTT: Mathieu Joseph (1) (moth) 10:53
8-OTT: Shane Pinto (3) (Brassard, Giroux) AN-14:40
Penalties: Matheson (Mon) 14:32, Reinhardt (Ott) 15:44, Pitlick (Mon) 19:06
renewal
9-OTT: Alex DeBrincat (2) (Giroux, Pinto)AN-0:59
Penalties: none
Shoot the net
MONTREAL 8-6-2-0-16 OTTAWA 10-13-10-1-34
Guardian:
MON: Cayden Primeau (P, 0-2-1) OTT: Mads Sogaard (G, 2-0-0) and Antoine Bibeau (3rd third)
Numerical advantages:
MON: 0 in 3, OTT: 3 in 5
Referee:
Eric Furlatt, Justin Kea
linesman:
Steve Barton, David Brisebois
HELP:
15,878
“I really enjoy playing with Mike (Matheson)” – Justin Barron
Justin Barron didn’t have a big smile on his face. Realistically, he knew he’d just played a good game against the Senators, but he didn’t take the loss well and kept a long-term perspective.
In uniform for three preseason games, Barron has now secured two meetings with Mike Matheson as his blueline partner. Martin St-Louis therefore placed him in winning situations.
“I really enjoy playing with Mike,” Barron said. Now I’m getting to know him a little better. I’ve stayed calm since the camp started, I feel like I’ve had enough experience now to know what to expect. »
“But I can use Mike’s advice, he doesn’t hesitate to talk to me on the players’ bench. He played a lot of games in the NHL. So if he recommends a game or gives me a little correction, I listen to him,” Barron added.
The latter had played his other preparatory game against the Finn Otto Leskinen.
It was against the Maple Leafs in Toronto, in a game that hasn’t made history. Lost 3 to 0.
Few right-handers
In this battle of young defenders, Barron has an important card up his sleeve.
He is the only right hander. Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, Corey Schueneman, Arber Xhekaj, Mattias Norlinder and Leskinen are all southpaws.
When Barron spent time with Matheson at this camp, St-Louis also reunited Guhle with David Savard. We could see two potential duos for the start of the season. A marriage between youth and experience.
“We don’t have many right-handers,” St-Louis insisted, describing the Matheson and Savard duo. I want to use it in good conditions. He has a good partner in Matheson. It was a good example for Barron, that game against the Senators. »
Evans twice
Like his head coach, Jake Evans was in love with Barron.
“Justin is a good defender, he had quite a shot on goal in the third period, underlined number 71. He played very well. You could see that he had confidence in himself. »
When there’s no doubt about his place in the formation, Evans sent a little message to the team by knowing a good exit in the middle of Rem Pitlick and Joel Armia. He scored two goals.
The CH will have multiple centers during the return of Nick Suzuki and Sean Monahan. On paper Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Christian Dvorak are the top three. St-Louis has to choose between Monahan and Evans for the fourth chair.
“I know I can play in this position but I have to be better than other candidates,” said Evans. I know it’s still early. But I still have to improve. I will play where the team wants me. I have played on the grand piano in the past. »