The Montreal Canadiens hit the ice for the first time at the Bell Centre for their annual red vs. white scrimmage. Here is who made an impression just in time for the preseason to begin.
On Sunday afternoon, the Montreal Canadiens held their annual scrimmage at the Bell Centre where fans got a chance to see new and returning players for the organization and the coaching staff gets to start testing line combinations in a competitive environment before the preseason starts.
Team Red won against Team White with a score of 5-4. Jeff Petry tied the game for Team Red in the third period on a breakaway goal and Paul Byron sealed the deal in the shootout. The Montreal Canadiens played two 30-minute periods at 5 on 5 with the third period being used for 3 on 3.
It’s important to note that the players who are already locks to make the Montreal Canadiens roster do not have to play at full capacity so the focus of this article will be on some of the younger players and promising line combinations that stood out during the scrimmage.
One line combination in particular that stood out over the others was that of Artturi Lehkonen, Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin. What was interesting about this line was that Jonathan Drouin played on his off-wing. By playing on the right side, Drouin may be encouraged to shoot more often.
This is a line that should be given more opportunities throughout the preseason and perhaps into the regular season. The combination of Domi’s playmaking abilities, Drouin using his deadly shot on the right-wing and Artturi Lehkonen’s two-way game can lead to a solid top-six line.
It is important Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin find a good winger to complement them as Andrew Shaw will not be able to fill that role since he was traded back to the Chicago Blackhawks during the summer.
Young Players, Mature Mentality
Three of the Habs young players performed well during the scrimmage. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Nick Suzuki and Ryan Poehling all did little things right while on the ice.
Kotkaniemi showed an improved aspect of physicality during the scrimmage. This was especially noticeable during the multiple puck battles he was involved in. Fans were also given a chance to see Kotkaniemi on two penalty shot attempts. One in which he ended up stick handling a tad too much and another in which he ripped a slap shot past Carey Price.
One player everyone has been excited to see since he was first acquired from the Golden Knights last season was Suzuki. While Suzuki did not find his way on to the scoreboard, he demonstrated his awareness and was almost always in a proper position on the ice to receive a pass or intercept one from the opposition.
Poehling played a similar game to that of Suzuki, as he was almost always in the right place at the right time, while also tallying an assist in the second period.
If one had to make a guess as to whether Suzuki or Poehling would make the Habs roster on opening night, it would make sense to go for Poehling as he seems a bit more prepared on the physical side of the game. Suzuki does plays a different style than Poehling so this may not be as important as it seems.
However, things can change during the preseason and perhaps both can end up making the Habs roster, only one of them or both may start the season with the Laval Rocket.
Hockey is Back
Sunday’s scrimmage was but a taste of things that are to come this season. As the next few preseason games go by, cuts will start being made to the team’s roster with players being sent down to play for the Laval Rocket. Then, we will start getting a better idea of what the Montreal Canadiens will look like when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes on October 3rd.
The Montreal Canadiens will play their first preseason game against the New Jersey Devils on Monday night at 7:00 pm.