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Montreal Canadiens: Three Players To Watch vs Toronto Maple Leafs

By Ken MacMillan

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Brett Kulak #77 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Brett Kulak #77 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 07: Cale Fleury #20 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 07: Cale Fleury #20 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

2. Cale Fleury

Cale Fleury played the 2018-19 season with the Laval Rocket and was solid, but not spectacular. He wasn’t expected to make the Canadiens lineup this season out of training camp, but he was so good during the exhibition schedule in September that he was on the ice in their first game of the regular season.

Can he do it again?

The Habs defence pairings at their latest practice had Ben Chiarot with Shea Weber and Kulak with Petry. That is expected to be the top four, unless Kulak falters as we mentioned previously. Victor Mete is extremely likely to grab the fifth spot and play on the third pairing. The young, quick, undersized defender could use a solid, reliable partner on that third pairing.

Yesterday, Mete skated with Xavier Ouellet, who played 12 games with the Canadiens this season. The 26 year old left-shot defender was a mainstay on the Rocket blue line and served as the AHL team’s captain this season. He seems to have the inside track on the final spot on the Habs blue line, but there are no guarantees just yet.

Also battling with Ouellet for a spot in the lineup in Game 1 against the Pens are Christian Folin, Gustav Olofsson, Noah Juulsen and Fleury.

Fleury played 41 games of physical, defensive hockey for the Canadiens to begin this season. He was eventually sent down to the Rocket where he played an additional 14 contests. The 21 year old is a smart, reliable defensive player who could be a great partner for Mete on the third pairing.

If he is going to get that role, he is going to have to play well against a fast and skilled Maple Leafs team tonight. He did it in September, and it will be fun to watch him tonight to see if he can win over the coaching staff yet again.

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