LOS ANGELES | Sean Monahan looked like a metronome in the first 13 games of the season, collecting 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists). But since that promising start he has lost his rhythm and he knows it full well.
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After a nearly 45-minute practice session in El Segundo, home of the Kings’ training facility, Monahan gave a very fair assessment of his play over the past few weeks. He spoke like a veteran, like a player who has seen snow.
“It starts with me as center, I have to take the lead within my line,” Monahan said before boarding a bus that took the team to the Los Angeles airport to fly to Columbus. I am a proud player. I have to play better. I have to find ways to create and generate scoring opportunities.”
“I haven’t been that offensive lately. I have to touch the puck more. But I have to play better everywhere on the ice. It suits me in my trio.”
Statistically speaking, Monahan is in the middle of a crisis. He hasn’t gotten on the scoresheet in his last six games and has only picked up one minor assist in his last eight games.
His game isn’t just wrong offensively. In the plus and minus category, an often controversial statistic, No. 91 is -12 in his last 11 meetings.
“When you don’t produce or play the way you want, you’re always frustrated,” Monahan said. I’ve already experienced that. Even several times in my career. I have to find solutions to get out of this. I have to control the game, touch the puck and make good little plays.
“It’s a question of trust. Touching the puck from the start of the game will make you feel better. If you pay more attention to details, you will win your faceoffs. But right now I have to play better.
no worries
During the first few weeks of the season, Monahan played as a center in the third unit along with Tanner Pearson and Brendan Gallagher. It was the trio of old people. But a trio that offered the Canadian good hockey overall.
However, Gallagher earned a promotion early in the trip to California and found himself on the left wing of the lead group along with Alex Newhook and Nick Suzuki. Josh Anderson, a winger who still hasn’t finished after 21 games, found himself to the right of Pearson and Monahan.
Monahan is the first to realize that he needs to get back on his feet and find ways to inject new life into his new line. St-Louis doesn’t sleep on this topic.
“His game has dropped off a little bit,” the head coach said. But it will come back. He is an experienced player and has proven himself in this league. If he plays with confidence, he can bring something. He needs to regain his confidence a little.”
“He was 0.1 seconds away from scoring in an empty net [à Anaheim], he continued. Sometimes there is also a bit of bad luck. I’m not worried, he’ll find his rhythm again. Our power play in the last three or four games hasn’t been as good as we could be. For offensive players, it’s helpful if your numerical advantage is going well and you’re getting points and touches. But no, I’m not worried. It will come back.”
Montembeault to Columbus
The waltz will continue among the goalkeepers. Samuel Montembeault will face the Blue Jackets on Wednesday in Columbus.
With three goalies, the Canadian is like a baseball team managing a rotation of starting players. The difference is that in baseball there are five.
Photo Martin Chevalier
“It is a bit like that, but performance is also part of the equation,” St-Louis replied. But the three goalkeepers have to play.
“I have more time to prepare,” Montembeault said. I work hard during training. We would all like to play more often, but there are also good teams. I am more rested and can work with our goalkeeping coach.