A Winning Habit
Fansided

Montreal Canadiens: Positive things from a successful training camp

By Omar L

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 24: Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) celebrates after scoring a goal with Montreal Canadiens Center Jesperi Kotkaniemi (15) and Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Kenny Agostino (47) during the first period of the NHL preseason game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 24, 2018, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photograph by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 24: Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) celebrates after scoring a goal with Montreal Canadiens Center Jesperi Kotkaniemi (15) and Montreal Canadiens Left Wing Kenny Agostino (47) during the first period of the NHL preseason game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 24, 2018, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photograph by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
MONTREAL, QC – SEPTEMBER 26: Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Payoff

Domi at centre with Drouin and Joel Armia worked. Having two playmakers on the same line may seem like a headscratcher for some, but the two were able to play off of each other’s offensive awareness. Drouin, in particular, looked rejuvenated. Whether it was because he was moved back to the wing or headed into the new season with something to prove is hard to tell.

Tatar was the physical fill in for Pacioretty on the left side of Phillip Danault. The former Red Wing/Golden Knight was coming off another 20-goal performance, but it would be unfair to expect the same level of production as Pacioretty. That said, his presence on the line was felt and complimented the playing styles of both Danault and Gallagher leading to a good deal of pressure from Team Red.

Peca’s speed stood out for the Montreal Canadiens in that game as well. Like many at camp, his NHL resume is limiting, but the way he played matched the new mantra Julien and several of the team’s leaders were preaching to the media. Playing with speed leads to winning hockey and Peca showed that he had a decent amount of it.

The team’s backend on either side was a focus considering Shea Weber still has another two months before he’s expected to return. Fortunately, there were early signs of positivity from the Mete-Juulsen pairing. One of the better aspects of it was the interchange of activation. Sometimes Mete would skate down to make a play with the puck, and other times Juulsen would make the play. That kind of versatility along a blueline is another thing more NHL teams are using nowadays as it combats the old school ‘mobile + stay-at-home’ model.

Xavier Ouellet and Mike Reilly showed some good things as well. We knew what Reilly could do offensively based on his time with the Habs at the end of last year. His play away from the puck improved and didn’t look to bleed as may shots from key areas while on the ice compared to games past.

However, that’s a friendly game between teammates. The preseason would be the next test.

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