Excitement at the Bell Centre
On Monday night, the Bell Centre buzzed with excitement as fans watched the Montreal Canadiens in action, featuring the debut of Ivan Demidov and newly acquired defenseman Noah Dobson. The anticipation grows as the team prepares for a follow-up matchup on Tuesday, where supporters will witness the much-anticipated first line comprising Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky.
Historic Sibling Moment
Alongside them, the defensive pair of Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson will take the ice, along with both Arber and Florian Xhekaj — a historic moment as it marks the first occasion the siblings play together on the same team in an NHL game.
Line Reshuffles and Player Opportunities
The Canadiens have also reshuffled their lines, with newcomers Alex Newhook, Samuel Bolduc, and Joshua Roy expected to form a formidable second line. For Roy, a promising player from St-Georges, this game represents a significant opportunity, especially as he enters a role that has become available. After an intensive summer training regimen, Roy has successfully trimmed down by 16 pounds, enhancing his skating speed, a factor that could significantly benefit his performance.
Third Line and Defensive Pairings
In the third line, Samuel Blais, Joe Veleno, and Austrian winger Vinzenz Rohrer will showcase their skills, while the younger Xhekaj will center a line featuring Luke Tuch and Tyler Thorpe. This trio, should they begin the season in Laval, has the potential to create substantial offensive damage.
On defense, Arber Xhekaj will pair with Alex Carrier, forming the second defensive unit behind Guhle and Hutson. The promising young defenseman, David Reinbacher, will line up alongside Tobie Paquette-Bisson, although there are reservations about Reinbacher’s readiness for the NHL after his knee injury last season hindered his progress. Despite remaining involved with team activities, the Canadiens coaching staff believes that live game experience is crucial for his development.
Goaltending and Upcoming Matchup
Between the pipes, goaltenders Jakub Dobes and Kaapo Kahkonen will alternate duties in a fashion reminiscent of Samuel Montembeault and Jacob Fowler’s previous performances against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Facing the Philadelphia Flyers
On the opposite bench, the Philadelphia Flyers will face off against the Canadiens, albeit without Russian prospect Matvei Michkov, who previously faced off against first overall draft pick Matthew Schaefer in an unfortunate highlight-reel moment. Michkov is sitting out this game while familiar names like Christian Dvorak, who recently transitioned from the Canadiens through free agency, and the feisty Nicolas Deslauriers return to the Bell Centre.
Other notable Flyers players include experienced forwards Sean Couturier, Owen Tippett, and Travis Sanheim. Given the physical styles of play exhibited by the Xhekaj brothers, Tuch, and Thorpe, Deslauriers will likely find himself in a combative atmosphere should he attempt to take on opponents on the ice. Notably, it has been several years since brothers last suited up for the Canadiens, the Kostitsyn brothers being the last duo to do so during the 2007-2008 season.
