The last thing this team needs right now is a systemic coach.
Montreal. I've been watching for almost seventy years and it never changes. If the Canadiens win their first two games the same 'fans' calling for MSL's head will want him elected mayor.
As for the game itself, I thought
Xhekaj and, surprisingly,
Gallagher were Montreal's two best players. Xhekaj played a physical game, made the smart plays and was a steading/calming presence on the ice. It would be a shock if he doesn't start opening night. Gallagher showed drive and some offensive flair. As usual, and now all too expected, he lacked stamina and his effectiveness dropped sharply 30 seconds into each of his shift. If Gallagher can play like this during the regular season, his grotesque contract will be a lot more palatable. I wish I could say the same thing about
Anderson who played a largely disinterest game. I don't think
Dvorak played as poorly as some here are complaining, but on a night when the team was missing 7 to 8 of its top veterans one would have hoped that Dvorak would have had a larger impact.
I thought
Newhook had his good moments where he showed his great speed but his puck management was very poor including a bad turnover that led to a shorthanded goal against.
Evans who was thrust into the no. 1 center role played an effective game where he displayed strong skating and was particularly good in the face-off circle. In what will be a bridge year, I think Evans will play an important role on the third line and continuing as one of the team's top penalty killers.
Roy was again largely invisible and is, in this writer's opinion, unlikely to be in the opening lineup. If he is, it won't be because of merit. While
Kapanen had a middling game, he showed enough to confirm that he can play at the NHL level. It may not be this year but next year for sure. If it was my decision, I would keep Kapanen over Roy as the former has much more snap and pace to his game than the latter. I thought
Heineman continues to show that he can be a useful utility forward who can bring speed , a bit of size and energy when he's on the ice. I won't comment on the balance of the forwards as most won't play much this year (
Pezzetta aside) and most probably won't be in the organization this time next year.
As for the defencemen, I thought
Guhle looked like this was his first game after his surgery but it was a necessary evil in order to allow him to get ready for the season opener. I thought
Mailloux had a largely forgettable game as he still has yet to show me that he has the skating ability to consistently transport the puck through three zones of the ice. I predict he will start the season in Laval where he can work on his game. He clearly is not ready to play fulltime in the NHL. The same could be said for
Engstrom, who has looked increasingly confident each game and would really benefit by playing this year in Laval. After Xhekaj, I thought
Barron was Montreal's best defenceman. Barron, who will never be a stalwart in his own zone , showed his superior skating ability in this game supporting the rush and blowing by Sanderson to create a scoring chance. When you can turn a player like Sanderson, you know that you have a player with great skating ability. His waiver situation, will almost certainly see Barron start the season in Montreal. I thought
Trudeau showed that he has the skating, skill and compete level to play in the NHL in the near future. I like the snap in his game. He made several terrible give-a-ways in the game but I expect him to grow his game in Laval and may well pass some of his fellow young defencemen on the team's depth chart by year's end. This game also gave those here who are so anxious to trade
Matheson and
Savard a taste of what watching Montreal would be like if both of these two veterans are traded. It would be ugly.
Finally,
Montembeault provided ample proof that he is Montreal's goaltender going forward. Or at least until Fowler arrives.
Just my thoughts.