Photo credit: Habsfanatics/NHL
Martin St-Louis has already made an initial decision, a fairly unusual one, in preparation for the game against the Florida Panthers.
This afternoon, the Montreal Canadiens officially return to work in Florida, as Martin St-Louis has just called a mandatory practice.
It’s an interesting decision, and one that makes our day a little more interesting.
We could get answers as early as today!
The Canadiens call a mandatory practice today, live from Florida
The day after Sunday’s 5-4 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Martin St-Louis indeed chose to hold a mandatory practice in Fort Lauderdale.
In that game, Juraj Slafkovsky still made his mark with two goals and one assist, which says a lot about the Canadiens’ intensity despite the result.
Even on the opposing side, there was an unusual level of respect for the Canadiens’ effort after 65 minutes, as coach Jon Cooper said that the better team on the ice didn’t come away with the two points.
What makes Monday’s session even more intriguing is the goaltending situation.
Jakub Dobes, meanwhile, is signed for two years at $965,000 per season, and he has already shown that he can win at the NHL level.
Jacob Fowler adds another layer of pressure, as he already has a shutout to his name this season, including a 31-save performance.
The coach is therefore sending a clear message to the group, especially after the Christmas break.
When you impose a practice on the road, you’re asking for a response, not smiles. It’s not an official punishment, but everyone understands the subtext.
The big advantage is that we’re likely to know the starting goaltender as early as Monday, instead of waiting until Tuesday.
Montembeault, Dobes, or Fowler, the choice becomes news in itself, because the Canadiens have rarely carried three options this credible at the same time.
And in a division where every point matters, the crease can set the tone for an entire road trip. Tuesday, against the Florida Panthers, will once again be a game heavy with meaning.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics