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A day after the hockey world had to bid farewell to Guy Lafleur, the Canadiens will be back in the saddle for game 79 of what appears to be a never-ending season. There’s not much to say about tonight’s match-up, just like the Canadiens, the Sens have been out of the playoffs picture for a good long while and there’s nothing at stake tonight, aside from perhaps prime. Since the Canadiens are playing 2 games in 24 hours, we can expect Price and Montembeault to share the workload this weekend, there’s no confirmation as to which will play what game, but I’d like to see Price take on the Bruins tomorrow personally. Edit: St-Louis confirmed Price will be in net tonight.
There wasn’t much talk about hockey in Montreal yesterday, it was all about reminiscing Guy Lafleur, the hockey player, but also the man. As I said yesterday, he re-wrote the Canadiens’ record book, but even after he hung up his skates for good, he was omnipresent around the team and was always ready to “tell it like it is…. There are 2 Flower declarations that I particularly like. First, back when Guy Carbonneau was the Canadiens head coach, Lafleur unimpressed by the team’s play had said: “The way I see it, there’s no first line on this team, it’s got 4 fourth lines…. While the comment had ruffled some feathers, it was quite frankly spot-on. Just a brilliant player speaking his mind about a once gloriously offensive team having lost its luster.
#TheMontrealGazette used my caricature of Guy Lafleur in the newspaper today – a striking format with loads of information. Eventually, this could make foor a good book on the Habs – caricatures of the greats with surrounding information. What do you think? Terry pic.twitter.com/7iPPteMMXW
— Terry Mosher (@TerryMosher1) April 23, 2022
The second one happened quite recently as Lafleur was asked if he thought the Canadiens’ super team of the 70s would be able to beat today’s outfit to which he replied: “Of course we would beat them, probably by 1 or 2 goals…. He was then asked only by a couple of goals? To which he said: “Well, you got to remember that most of our guys are 65-70 years old today…. That was Lafleur, pulling no punches and speaking his mind. I’ll miss his straight talking, but at least, before he departed, he was able to see his beloved Canadiens start playing more offensively again thanks to the arrival of Martin St-Louis at the helm and his handling of the Habs’ young core.
It’s been a long, emotional day for many of us. I leave you tonight with Guy Lafleur and the Stanley Cup at his home last June. For Flower, his final time with the trophy was most special for his granddaughter, and to raise cancer-research money for the Guy Lafleur Fund. pic.twitter.com/w86odfqtzG
— Dave Stubbs 🇨🇦 (@Dave_Stubbs) April 23, 2022
Speaking of the Canadiens’ young core, according to TSN insider Darren Dreger, a few of the Habs players are on Team Canada and USA’s shortlist for the World Championships. For Canada, Nick Suzuki appears to be a given, even though he has some wear from this season. Don’t worry, the Canadiens will be off for so long that he’ll have time to get some R & R long before the Tricolore is back at it. According to Dreger though, Josh Anderson could also be called upon by Canada. Finally, he believes that Cole Caufield’s name is also being seriously considered by the Americans. There’s no doubt that this would be a great experience for all involved, especially since there’s no Spring dance in town this season.
On a peu parler de hockey à Montréal hier, le nom de Lafleur était sur toutes les lèvres et on se remémorait ses bons moments. En plus d’avoir réécris le livre des records du Tricolore comme je l’ai dit hier, après avoir accroché ses patins pour de bon, il était omniprésent autour de l’équipe et n’hésitait pas à dire les choses comme elles étaient. Il y a 2 déclarations du Démon blond que j’affectionne particulièrement. D’abord, à l’époque ou Guy Carbonneau dirigeait l'équipe, Lafleur qui n’était pas impressionné par les performances de la formation avait déclaré : « Selon moi, cette équipe n’a pas de premier trio, en fait, elle a 4 quatrième trio ». Bien que le commentaire en eà»t froissé certain, on ne peut pas dire qu’il avait tort. C’était un brillant joueur qui ne pouvait s’empêcher de dire ce qu’il ressentait à voir une équipe au jeu offensif si glorieux jadis peiner à générer de l’attaque.
#TheMontrealGazette used my caricature of Guy Lafleur in the newspaper today – a striking format with loads of information. Eventually, this could make foor a good book on the Habs – caricatures of the greats with surrounding information. What do you think? Terry pic.twitter.com/7iPPteMMXW
— Terry Mosher (@TerryMosher1) April 23, 2022
La 2e déclaration date d’il n’y a pas si longtemps, Lafleur s’était fait demander si la super équipe des années 70 battrait à son avis le CH d’aujourd’hui et il avait répliqué: “Bien sà»r, on les battrait probablement par un ou deux but…. Un ou deux buts seulement de répliquer son interlocuteur? “Ben, il faut se rappeler qu’aujourd’hui, nos gars ont entre 65 et 70 ans…. C’était ça Guy Lafleur, il n’avait pas la langue dans sa poche. Son franc-parler me manquera mais je suis contente qu’avant de quitter ce monde, il a pu voir son CH bien-aimé retrouver une certaine touche offensive grâce à l’arrivée de Martin St-Louis et à sa façon de diriger le jeune noyau du Tricolore.
It’s been a long, emotional day for many of us. I leave you tonight with Guy Lafleur and the Stanley Cup at his home last June. For Flower, his final time with the trophy was most special for his granddaughter, and to raise cancer-research money for the Guy Lafleur Fund. pic.twitter.com/w86odfqtzG
— Dave Stubbs 🇨🇦 (@Dave_Stubbs) April 23, 2022
Parlant du jeune noyau du CH, selon Darren Dreger de TSN, certains des joueurs de la Sainte-Flanelle sont sur la liste de sélection des équipes canadienne et américaine pour les championnats du monde. Pour le Canada, Nick Suzuki est le choix évident, et ce même s’il semble un peu amoché en fin de saison. N’ayez crainte, la Sainte-Flanelle sera en congé tellement longtemps qu’il aurait tout le temps de se reposer après le tournoi. Toujours selon Dreger, le nom de Josh Anderson serait également considéré par les bonzes de Team Canada. Enfin, il croit que Cole Caufield se trouve également sur la liste de souhait de l’équipe américaine. Il n’y a aucun doute, il s’agirait là d’une superbe expérience pour eux.