Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Game 55: Montembeault Starts, Monahan Practices

Published

4 months ago

February 16, 2023

The Montreal Canadiens (23-27-4) are looking to keep the good times rolling when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes (35-10-8) at PNC Arena Centre on Thursday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

The Canadiens haven’t had many three-game winning streaks over the last two years, and they’ll be looking to push that streak to four against the potent Hurricanes.

The Canadiens’ success of late has a lot to do with the awakening of two specific groups in their lineup: their veteran forwards and young defencemen.

One of those veterans in question is Jonathan Drouin. The 27-year-old has upped his offensive contribution in a big way, adding 12 points, all assists, in his last 12 games with the Canadiens.

Drouin has been especially notable since returning from injury in February, potting five assists in his three games since Saturday, while playing with more intensity and drive than we’ve seen in recent years.

Drouin’s performances are not only increasing his stock leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline, but they’re also increasing the likelihood that he could earn himself an NHL contract for next season.

It hasn’t been an easy road for the skilled winger during his time in Montreal, but seeing him return to his playmaking ways is certainly a positive sign for him and the Canadiens.

Must Read: Canadiens Veterans Impressing With NHL Trade Deadline Looming

#Habs Jonathan Drouin sets up Joel Armia for goal vs #Hawks

Assists: Drouin, Dvorak@AllHabs @RocketSports #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Q3iUyyFyqR

— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) February 15, 2023

The Canadiens also had a nice surprise at practice today, as Sean monahan attended Canadiens practice in a non-contact jersey for the first time in nearly three weeks. The veteran centre has been dealing with a lower body injury, but looked to be moving well on the ice.

An encouraging sign of a potential return before the NHL Trade Deadline.

Sean Monahan est là. Chandail pas de contacts. Vidéo exclusive. Très exclusive. 🔵⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/5tiL50vwXI

— Marc-André Perreault (@MA_PerreaultTVA) February 16, 2023

Strong Defence

On top of their many veterans at forward, there’s a handful of youngsters on the back end that have taken big strides in their game.

After a two-goal performance from Jordan Harris on Sunday, it was Justin Barron‘s turn to find the back of the net against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Barron is proving that the Canadiens made a wise choice in sending him to the Laval Rocket to start the season, as the 21-year-old looks like a player transformed, especially when it comes to his decision-making and defensive play.

With the Canadiens icing one of their youngest defensive brigades in history, head coach Martin St-Louis is doing a splendid job at bringing them all along, together.

The Canadiens will be putting Samuel Montembeault back in the fold to play behind the surging group of young Canadiens defenders.

1-0 #Habs ..Justin Barron welcomes back Luke Richardson to the Bell Centre pic.twitter.com/JHXlb12nJ6

— JeSuisCH🇺🇦BleuBlancRouge (@HabsHappy) February 15, 2023

Storm Brewing

Whenever the Canadiens get set to play the Carolina Hurricanes, all eyes always point directly to former Canadiens forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

The former 3rd overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft hasn’t hit his stride like the Hurricanes would have liked when they signed him to an eight-year contract last spring, as the 22-year-old looks to be on pace for a 31-point season.

Currently centreing the Hurricanes’ second line between Andrei Svechnikov and Martin Necas, the Hurricanes are hoping the points pick up down the stretch.

Speaking of Svechnikov, the former 2nd overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft is having himself an uncharacteristically long goal-scoring drought this season, posting zeros in the goal column in his last 17 games.

One Hurricanes player that is putting up goals of late is veteran Brent Burns.

The 37-year-old defender has found his game of late with the Hurricanes, potting five goals and four assists for nine points in his last nine games.

His improved play has helped vault the Hurricanes’ already potent defensive corps to another level, helping them maintain their status as one of the top teams in the NHL despite certain offensive players going through major slumps.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

Kaiden Guhle (Injured Reserve)
Joel Edmundson (Day-To-Day)
Brendan Gallagher (Injured Reserve)
Jake Evans (Injured Reserve)
Arber Xhekaj (Injured)
Juraj Slafkovsky (Injured Reserve)
Cole Caufield (Injured Reserve)
Sean Monahan (LTIR)
Carey Price (LTIR)
Paul Byron (LTIR)

Carolina Hurricanes Injuries

Jake Gardiner (LTIR)
Max Pacioretty (LTIR)
Ondrej Kase (LTIR)

Montreal Canadiens Previous Lineup

LW	C	RW
Mike Hoffman	Nick Suzuki	Joel Armia
Sean Farrell	Jonathan Drouin	Denis Gurianov
Rem Pitlick	Jake Evans	Brendan Gallagher
Micheal Pezzetta	Chris Tierney	Joel Teasdale