Update - top line of Larkin, Fabbri, Bertuzzi staying in tact. Mantha on a line with Zadina and Filppula. Athanasiou still slated to play as of this morning. I don’t want to jump ahead of anything, but very odd that A.A. not on Mantha line/Filppula line.
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There has been a flurry of activity in Detroit, as well as the rest of the league. With the dust settling on several coaches being relieved of their duties, the waiver wire seems to be busier than in years past. Taylor Hall seems to be nearing his new temporary home, and teams are shifting pieces around. In 5 days another trade freeze is set to hit, and it looks like teams want to beat that deadline.
For Detroit, Anthony Mantha is more than eager to step back on the ice. The big winger loves playing in Montreal. It’s impossible to know what to expect (assuming he does indeed dress) because unlike last year, he hasn’t been able to skate with this particular injury. It will be “on the fly… conditioning to get back up to speed for Detroit’s leading goal scorer.
Athanasiou is also set to return tonight. Things are going to get interesting quickly with his availability. Filip Zadina seems to be finding his groove and clicking with Robby Fabbri. However, assuming that Blashill wants to keep Filppula centering the second line it would be assumed that Zadina will be the odd man out. Athanasiou has played center (and had a career year doing so), as has Fabbri in the past. However, the coaching staff seem to be staunchly opposed to returning a.a. to the middle position unless there is absolutely no choice. A line of Fabbri, Athanasiou and Zadina would be interesting, but potentially disastrous in their own end. Fabbri is reliable in all 3 zones, Zadina has put a lot of effort into the backchecking portion of his game, but it’s not a strength yet.
In an odd shift, Madison Bowey was recalled yesterday. Grand Rapids is on a mini streak winning their past 2, and Veleno and Hirose both scored twice in yesterday’s contest. It still feels like the organization may try and package Bowey in part of a deal, presumedly with Athanasiou. Without knowing what the return is presumed to be, or who the partner would be, this is a watch and wait scenario. This could be a busy weekend for player movement.
As with the first contest between Montreal and Detroit, the Canadiens hold the edge in a couple of key categories. A power play clicking at 20.2% (13th) and goals for of 3.19 (9th) indicate a team tat can successfully cycle and forecheck. The odd parallel is a weak penalty kill of 76% (28th) and goals against of 3.25 (26th). The issues on Montreal have flipped. The scoring is there, but the goaltending isn’t what we’re used to seeing. Carey Price can still turn things on and go lights out with no warning. When he’s on, he is a nightmare to play against.
Detroit, after finally snapping a 12 game losing streak by beating Winnipeg, still sits rock bottom on goals for (2.18) and goals against (3.94), last on the pk (72.8%) and 24th on the PP (16.2%). Without some serious improvements over a significant period Detroit will not hold the edge on paper against any opponent. In the Red Wings favor is some positive momentum from a win and the return of Mantha. Expect to see a highly motivated Canadiens team looking to avoid a second home loss to the last place Red Wings.
If there are trade updates I will try to update this article as opposed to a new post until tomorrow. Strange winds are blowing right now as teams decide to go all in or hold tight. Thanks to everyone who stops by to read and comment. Keep it coming! If any of you would be interested in “in game tweeting…, let me know. Follow my twitter link (above) and we can do some back and forth during game play.
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