The season has finally started! Like every year, all 32 teams are looking forward to getting back into action. The Canadiens are obviously no exception, especially with such passionate fans.
At the starting line, the best clubs set their first goal as participating in the playoffs. Things are different with teams like the Canadiens.
Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes set a new standard for tournament golf by refusing to say the word “streak.” You don’t want to raise expectations that are too high. This is the message they conveyed from their first words.
Martin St-Louis’s is certainly not the same. He shouldn’t be afraid to raise the expectations of his players even further. Setting the bar a little higher often has a positive impact on the team. The players are then more motivated and demand more. This can be very beneficial in the long run.
When I arrived with the Penguins, like in St. Louis, the team was very young. My first three centers (Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal, Evgeni Malkin) were 20 or younger.
I was told it would take three years to qualify for the playoffs. But I couldn’t afford it. I wanted to get there quickly. As is often said, the coach is judged by his results.
My philosophy was to set the bar high with the goal of making young people better. And it worked: We surprised everyone by making the playoffs in my first full season in Pittsburgh.
That doesn’t mean the Canadiens will be successful, as the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference are very competitive.
Leave on time
It is important to see good progress. For the sake of their development, young people need to learn how to win big games. And not just at the beginning of the season, when there are always teams that take a while to get going. After the holidays, the level increases again, and the closer the playoffs get, the more so. Therefore, it is imperative to take advantage and start strong.
After settling for just 68 points last season and being quickly eliminated from the playoffs, I expect and hope that CH will make good progress this year.
In my opinion, collecting 10 additional points would be a small improvement, but I would like it to be bigger. The team shouldn’t be eliminated so early. She has to knock on the series door until the end.
To stay at the top, the Canadians need around 90 points. Last season, the East’s lowest-ranked playoff qualifier, the Panthers, had 92 points.
I understand that the challenge will be difficult, but it is better to set high goals to promote the development of the entire group.
A surprising but understandable decision
Additionally, many people were surprised to see Jake Allen get the starting start on Wednesday against the Maple Leafs. And for a good reason.
Given his good finish to the season and his performances at the World Cup, everyone expected Samuel Montembeault to be the starting goalkeeper. He was also the one who played the last preseason game. Usually, whoever completes the exhibition schedule on the net is the lucky one for the opening game.
Maybe St. Louis wanted to send him a message. And that’s certainly a good thing for Montembeault.
When he was at the peak of his career, he was named number one for the first time. All summer, everyone was telling him how good, handsome and fine he was. It was a situation he had never experienced before.
However, his performances in the preparatory games did not correspond to the level of a number one goalkeeper. Did he think his position was already secured?
Montembeault must remember that he still has things to prove, as he has since the beginning of his career. He always had to fight to find his place. Once you have achieved your goal, it is dangerous to believe that you have finally achieved it.
He needs to have a big season and have the knife between his teeth. He must not lose his fighting spirit. This is certainly the “wake-up call” the “coach” wanted to give him. It’s just the right time of year to send messages.
