After seven games at opposing ice rinks, the Canadian will get back in touch with his fans on Thursday evening when the Buffalo Sabers visit. In the morning, the Habs learned more bad news with the loss of Christian Dvorak. Montreal native Devon Levi will make his first start on the ice at the Bell Center.
The Journal offers five items to keep an eye on in this game against the Sabres.
1 – Dvorak: Season over
The years pass and are similar for the Canadian. Especially because of the news from the infirmary. Christian Dvorak is out for the rest of the season. Dvorak will undergo surgery on Friday for a torn pectoral muscle.
CH will have another center on the long-term injured list. Kirby Dach saw his season come to an end after the second game of the season. Dach suffered a torn anterior and internal cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Martin St-Louis described the loss of a player like Dvorak to his team.
“He's important for faceoffs on the left side, he plays outnumbered and does a little bit of everything,” noted St-Louis. It is not one player who will replace him in his role, but several players. Sean Monahan has to take more penalties. We also need to find an attacker who can play in the second wave of the power play. We will replace him together.”
2 – Healthy Anderson
There are always doubts about a Canadian player's health. But when a player limps off the ice, things become even more worrisome. This was the case for Josh Anderson in the third period against the Stars in Dallas. For a rare time, luck was in the CH camp. Anderson apparently did not suffer an injury as he was at his post during Thursday's morning skate at the Bell Center.
Anderson will therefore be in uniform to accept his December Player of the Month award for CH.
3 – Jake Allen's turn
After departures in Tampa and Dallas, Samuel Montembeault will pass the torch to Jake Allen. The New Brunswick goalie won his only start this season against the Sabers in Buffalo. On October 23, Allen blocked 36 shots in a 3-1 win against the Sabres.
4 – Levi against his childhood team
“It was fun playing against the Canadian in Buffalo, but it will be even more fun in this building. »
Devon Levi had a big smile on his face as he left an optional Sabers practice on the ice at the Bell Center. He was just hours away from his first start against the Habs in Montreal.
Getty Images via AFP
” I am very excited. During my last visit to the Bell Center I saw Carey Price. Now it's up to me to find myself in front of the net. I will be performing in front of several family members and friends. »
When asked to describe his best moments at the Bell Centre, the 22-year-old Montrealer spoke about the former Boston Bruins captain.
“I watched several games with my father and brother because of the matchups against Boston,” he replied. They were good matches and the crowd booed Chara. It was fun. I booed him too. I won't do it now, but I could do it when I was little! »
5 – Aim for consistency
The Sabers are one of the disappointments in the NHL this season with a record of 15-19-4. Given that they were likely to clinch a playoff spot before the season began, the Sabers would have to stage quite a comeback to get there.
“It starts with consistency,” Sabers head coach Don Granato said. There is no point in thinking about the past, you have to look to the future. We have to play a big game against the Canadian. »
The Canadian's likely lineup:
Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Monahan Anderson
Ylönen-Evans-Gallagher
Pezzetta Stephens Armia
Matheson Savard
Guhle Barron
Struble Harris
Kovacevic
Allen
*CH will again play with eleven attackers and seven defenders