The Canadian will play his third preseason game this evening with the visit of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre. It will be the first duel in a three-game series against Sheldon Keefe’s gang.
For this meeting, Le Journal offers you five elements to pay attention to.
• Also read: The Canadian will send a more powerful team against the Maple Leafs
1 – A first test for Gustav Lindstrom
Lindstrom was acquired in Jeff Petry’s trade with the Detroit Red Wings and will form a duo with Arber Xhekaj. With 24 years and 128 games of experience with the Wings, Lindstrom will compete for one of the last available spots on the blue line.
“There’s more media here than in Detroit,” the right-handed defenseman said after the morning skate. I wasn’t really expecting a transaction, I was a bit shocked. But I’m looking forward to a new beginning. »
2 – Arber Xhekaj won’t back down, but he won’t look for a fight
The Leafs will arrive in Montreal with the presence of Ryan Reaves in their lineup. Xhekaj knows he could keep up with the burly winger at the end.
“He’s a physical player and I’m a physical player,” the defender said. Maybe we’ll meet a few times. For me it always depends on the game. If it gets out of hand, I might consider a fight. I don’t focus on this element in a preseason game, but rather I want to show the coaches what I can do on the ice. »
3 – Mailloux against his mother’s team
Logan Mailloux will take part in a second preseason game. Having already understood that he cannot go to the back of the opponent’s territory when he is numerically inferior, the Ontario native particularly enjoyed playing against the team from his province.
“The Leafs are mom’s favorite team, so I hope to win against them,” he replied in very good French.
4 – A departure for Primeau
Cayden Primeau doesn’t want to be the third wheel. But on paper, he ranks behind Samuel Montembeault and Jake Allen at the position. He will start against the Leafs. If he returns to the American League, Primeau must pass the waiver period.
5 – A treat for John Parker-Jones
John Parker-Jones will play his first preseason game in the NHL. The 1.80 m tall, 110 kg colossus will play on the right wing alongside Mitchell Stephens and Jan Mysak. Parker-Jones, who has played both wing and defense in the past, split his time between Trois-Rivières and Laval last season.
Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY