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Pregame: Canadiens vs Red Wings and the Draft Gamble |
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Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey
With the new injuries announced yesterday, the Canadiens will once more be using new lines tonight. Captain Nick Suzuki will be flanked by Sean Farrell and Jesse Ylonen, since the Habs’ coach believes Suzuki has got what it takes to be a mentor in this league and take the youngsters’ under his wing. The bench boss also sang the praises of Jesse Ylonen, calling him a versatile player and adding that he has deserved this opportunity to play with Suzuki.
Since their return to action, Jake Evans and Brendan Gallagher have been inseparable and tonight will be no exception, but this time they’ll be joined by Mike Hoffman. The coach confirmed that it was just a coincidence that he put them together originally, but their continued success as a duo is making him keep the pair intact. That being said, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll be together come next season.
Jonathan Drouin will be back at center between Denis Gurianov and Joel Armia on the third line while Chris Tierney lands on the 4th line alongside Michael Pezzetta and Rem Pilick.
On the blue line, newly recalled Corey Schueneman practiced on the 3rd pairing with Joel Edmundson while Matheson and Barron formed the first pair and Wideman and Kovacevic the 2nd pairing.
In net, Montreal had already announced that Cayden Primeau would be getting the start when he was recalled yesterday and St-Louis does believe that even though the games mean very little at this stage, they still count for the team’s evaluation of the young goaltender, just like his games in the AHL. St-Louis stated that at this stage of his career, Primeau had to convinced the organization of where he belongs and it will be the same next year. One can also think that the recent signing of Jakub Dobes will also put some pressure on Primeau to step up.
Finally, it was announced this morning that the father of prized Russian prospect Matvei Mitchkov, Andrei Michkov 51 had passed away in unexplained circumstance. He was apparently found in a river in Sotchi. Michkov may very well be available when the Canadiens pick this Summer, but would they take that gamble? At this stage, this is all speculation on my part, but what if his father’s death is a threat to the young man? As if to say, leave and this is what will happen to the people close to you? I mean with the political situation as it is right now, picking a Russian already looks like a gamble to me…This all feels very “cold wardish” to me… Would you take the risk to pick him and end up not getting him?
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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