Montreal Canadiens: Karl Alzner joins Tomas Plekanec on the scratched list

It’s all business for the Montreal Canadiens as Karl Alzner is also made a healthy scratch for tonight’s game along with Tomas Plekanec and Nikita Scherbak

The Montreal Canadiens are not messing around this season. Ahead of the year during training camp, Tomas Plekanec and Karl Alzner would’ve been clear locks to make the opening night lineup. And now hours ahead of puck drop, the team reveals that both veterans will be healthy scratches.

Rookie Nikita Scherbak is also taking a seat tonight. Unlike Plekanec and Alzner, there isn’t much of a surprise there. Scherbak didn’t do enough during the preseason to force his way on to the team. Perhaps he gets an opportunity later on, but for now, it’s off to the press box.

We touched on the significance of the scratch from Plekanec’s end. After being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, there were loyal Habs fans worried he would hit the 1000 game mark on the other side of the rivalry. However, the schedule worked out leaving Plekanec at 998 only requiring two more games to hit the legendary milestone.

That game would take place next week against the Los Angeles Kings which is also the team’s home opener. The whole night would’ve been special and full of celebration, but it’ll have to be pushed back.

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Alzner getting scratched ends a 600+ game ironman streak. The 30-year-old has yet to miss a single regular season game in the last eight years dating back to his time with the Washington Capitals. And now after a year has passed on his new contract with the Montreal Canadiens, it comes to an end.

What’s the rationale behind this? Matthew Peca is filling in for Plekanec on the fourth line while Jordie Benn is taking Alzner’s spot. The latter stands out more as not only is Alzner on a hefty contract; there are already injuries on the blueline.

It could come down to a speed thing where the Montreal Canadiens want to be able to keep the pace going for the entirety of the game. But accountability may be a factor as well. Xavier Ouellet earned the right to make the team and stood out on several occasions throughout training camp. Claude Julien is sending a message to his bench. It doesn’t matter who you are or how much you make, those who perform will play.

It’s unlikely Alzner spends too much time out of the lineup. Similarly, with Peca v. Plekanec, the coaching staff will watch and see what is working. However, if the team is coming together well and winning games, that may be an issue for both parties. Keep in mind Plekanec has a performance bonus dependent on the number of games he plays.

The Montreal Canadiens were going into this season as one of the more interesting teams to pay attention to regardless of the pre-year expectations. That’ll if they continue to make decisions like this.