For the third time, the Montreal Canadiens are going to be participating in the Heritage Classic but it is the first time since 2011. The Canadiens will be playing the Winnipeg Jets, who just put the Connor Hellebuyck saga behind them on Friday.
On Sunday night, the Canadiens are going to try to keep the momentum going from their 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. It was the first NHL game that Nick Suzuki has missed in his career, and the Canadiens did a good job managing the game without him.
The Canadiens will be playing a Winnipeg Jets team that got off to a great start to the season, winning four of their first six games, but since then have gone 0-2-2. In special games like this, nothing can be taken for granted, and these are three under-the-radar players that the Canadiens need to produce.
Owen Beck
While Oliver Kapanen replaced Nick Suzuki on the top line, it was Owen Beck who was called up to fill the roster spot. Beck made his season debut on Friday and made almost an immediate impact with an assist and a team-high four hits.
The Canadiens' fourth line of Beck, Jake Evans, and Kirby Dach was the most productive it has been all season against the Chicago Blackhawks. If they can bring that energy every night, it will not only help the team navigate the time that Suzuki is out but also make them a better team once he is back.
Kaiden Guhle
If it wasn't clear how important Kaiden Guhle is to the Montreal Canadiens before this season, fans are certainly seeing it in the early part of this season. He missed the start of the season as he worked his way back from offseason surgery, but since making his season debut, the Canadiens are 4-1-1.
Against the Blackhawks, Guhle led the team in time on ice with 23:30 and was a big part of the Canadiens killing all five power play opportunities the Blackhawks had. He also had a key goal and an assist in the second period that helped Montreal extend their lead to 3-1 going into the third period.
Chris Kreider
The biggest offseason move the Montreal Canadiens made was signing free agent Chris Kreider, who was coming off a 50-point season with the Anaheim Ducks. However, it has been a slow start to his season with the Canadiens, as he has only four points through 10 games and no points in the last seven.
The early-season struggles don't necessarily fall entirely on Kreider as the Canadiens have gone through significant changes in their Top 6. He began the season on the top line with Suzuki and Cole Caufield but was moved to a line with Alex Newhook and Josh Anderson after Ivan Demidov's injury.
It is certainly tough trying to get comfortable in a new system with a new team and trying to get familiar with linemates. In the end, Kreider is still going to be a good addition for this team but with Suzuki out, this would be a great time for Montreal if Kreider can start producing.
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