TEMPERATURE | It’s not always perfect and it doesn’t always lead to victories, but we have to admit that the Canadian has been offering an exciting game since the start of the season.
• Also read: Resignation of Pierre Dorion: Is the door finally opening for Patrick Roy?
• Also read: Senators lose first-round pick
• Also read: The Patrick Roy myth is nonsense
One of the reasons for this is the contribution of the defenders, who are not afraid to attack. Whether it’s Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle or Justin Barron, the Habs rely on a brigade that doesn’t hesitate to carry the puck into the neutral zone and support the attack.
Watch Martin St-Louis’ full press conference above.
Additionally, Habs defensemen scored 18.5% of the team’s goals. This puts them in 10th place on the race track.
“Martin [St-Louis] is a coach of the new era. He gives us the green light to go there if the situation is right, emphasized Guhle. And in our group we all enjoy doing that.”
The Canadiens defensemen not only have permission from their coach, they are encouraged to do so. A way of doing things that harmonizes perfectly with the balance that St-Louis spoke about at length after practice at Mullett Arena.
word of the day
It was also the word of the day in the Habs locker room.
Balance is the concept that an appropriate arrangement of the five players on the ice makes the team more dangerous when attacking. The contribution of defenders is therefore crucial.
“When you attack with five players, it makes life difficult for the opponent. It creates confusion because everyone is distant and everyone is rotating. If the defenders stop at the blue line, our rivals only have to concentrate on the lower part of the territory,” explained Mike Matheson on the eve of the game against the Arizona Coyotes.
An approach that benefits more than just your back.
“It allows us to touch the puck a lot more. When defenders are involved and get the puck to us quickly, there are more opportunities in quick transitions. That’s a little bit of what was missing last year,” Cole Caufield said.
A split second to decide
However, to support the attack while limiting the risks, you need to know how to choose your moments.
“You have to read the game. If we’re up by a goal with ten minutes left in the third period, it might be best not to take that risk. Conversely, if we want to create equality, now is the time to do it,” explained Guhle.
Photo Martin Chevalier
On the same topic, Matheson adds that you also have to take into account the players who are on the ice at that exact moment and the duration of their presence.
An assessment of the situation that must take place in fractions of a second. To help him make his decision, the Montrealer has developed an approach technique.
“As soon as I pass to a teammate, I always give two aggressive skates. This is where I make my decision. If I decide to leave, I continue at the same pace. Otherwise I will slow down.”
While we stay on guard.