Montreal Canadiens Practice Update
The Montreal Canadiens resumed practice at Centre Videotron in Quebec City on Thursday morning following a well-deserved day of rest that included some time on the golf course. Fans expressed relief at the sight of Ivan Demidov taking to the ice, alleviating concerns about the injury he sustained from a slash delivered by Nick Cousins of the Ottawa Senators. Coach Martin St-Louis demonstrated prudence by removing Demidov from play when his more experienced players were sidelined, likely to avoid further risk of injury.
Line Combinations and Practice Insights
During Thursday’s practice, St-Louis stuck with the same line combinations that had been effective thus far. The forwards included:
- Cole Caufield teaming up with Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky
- Zack Bolduc, Kirby Dach, and Brendan Gallagher
- Alex Newhook with Oliver Kapanen, Demidov, and Joe Veleno joined by Owen Beck and Patrik Laine
- Samuel Blais with Jack Evans and Josh Anderson
Notably, a dark blue jersey was worn by one forward group, hinting they might not feature in Saturday’s upcoming game. If this occurs, Blais would miss both of the last two preseason matchups, which may indicate the team’s confidence in his capabilities and expected role within the squad.
Defensive Pairings
On the defensive front, St-Louis reverted to pairings that had been confirmed earlier in training camp:
- Mike Matheson with Noah Dobson
- Kaiden Guhle with Lane Hutson
- Arber Xhekaj paired with Alex Carrier
- Jayden Struble joined Adam Engstrom
This arrangement suggests that Guhle and Dobson have fully recovered from previous groin issues, as the coach appears eager to allow them to build chemistry before the regular season begins. Although Struble had a chance to impress alongside Carrier earlier, it seems Xhekaj remains the front-runner for the last defense position on the roster.
Senators’ Roster Changes
In another development, the Senators announced they would field eight players recently recalled from their AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, in an upcoming game against the St. Louis Blues. This information may ease concerns for Canadiens supporters, as the Senators also prepare for their final preseason match this Saturday, focusing on ensuring their key players are well-prepared.
Upcoming Match and Player Conduct
The incidents between the teams during their last matchup led to fines for both Cousins and Hayden Hodgson, following a series of ejections that unfolded when the Xhekaj brothers were dismissed from the game. Should Cousins be present on Saturday, he faces the possibility of consequences due to his actions.
Next Steps for the Canadiens
The Canadiens are set to remain in Quebec until Friday afternoon, where they will hold another open practice session at Centre Videotron for fans. They plan to return to Montreal later that day, culminating in a morning skate at the Bell Centre—marking their first time on the rink since training camp festivities began.
