BROSSARD, Qc Head coach Martin St-Louis has taken major measures to address the player’s finishing issues Montreal Canadienstaking out practice targets during Wednesday morning practice at the CN Sports Complex.
The forwards took turns to participate in four drills, three with a practice target and one with an empty net, while the goaltenders and defensemen practiced on the complex’s second rink.
When they say Juraj Slafkovsky should shoot more often 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Fe72Ou0DY7
— Luc Gelinas (@LucGelinasRDS)
November 15, 2023
“We didn’t want to put our goalies through that kind of training,” St-Louis stressed, explaining the decision to go with practice targets. It still allows you to have something to aim for. And the holes in the target are not small. It reminds players that they don’t always have to go for the perfect shot. »
The five-gap boards ended practice with a few more points for the puck. The players could shoot to their heart’s content, without fear of injuring the goalkeeper.
“It’s back to basics,” the veteran said Tanner Pearson. When you grow up, you’ll shoot 100 times a day and you’ll keep getting better. Whether the puck goes in or not is a matter of puck positioning. It helps to know where to shoot in the heat of the moment. »
Before Wednesday’s matches, the Canadian found himself tied with Columbus Blue Jackets ranks 25th in the circuit with an average of 2.75 goals per game. He hasn’t scored more than two goals in regulation in each of his last four games.
However, St-Louis is very pleased with his troupe’s performance during this sequence.
“We create enough scoring chances to win games,” he insisted. Defensively we are there, five-on-five, our special teams continue to improve. We are competitive in every game. I think it’s the best stretch of four games since I’ve been in office.
“I know we want to score more goals. It would help if a few players unlocked. It would allow them to regain confidence. But we cannot do that at the cost of neglecting the defensive side. »
Josh Anderson AND Rafael Harvey-Pinard they still haven’t scored this season after 16 and 13 games respectively. Want Jake Evans is now 15 games, that ofAlex Newhook13 games, and Pearson’s is up to 11 games.
“Guys are going to worry about their teammates and not worry about outside noise,” Pearson insisted. Results are more important than personal statistics. Yes, it would be nice to score goals, but it’s even nicer to win hockey games. »
The Canadians (7-7-2) will try to end their two-game losing streak on Thursday night when they host Vegas Golden Knights (12-3-1) at the Bell Center. The Habs lost 3-2 in a shootout to the reigning Stanley Cup winners on October 30 in Las Vegas.
Three missed training
Harvey-Pinard and defenders Mike Matheson AND Jordan Harris he did not participate in the Canadian’s training.
The team said the three players instead enjoyed a day of treatment.
Harris is dealing with an upper-body injury he suffered Saturday vs Boston Bruins. He faced Vancouver Canucks Sunday, before skipping his turn against Calgary Flames Tuesday.
Matheson and Harvey-Pinard were in jersey against the Flames, when the Canadian lost 2-1.
Furthermore, the defender David Savard skated before the regular group, on Wednesday morning at the CN Sports Complex. Savard is recovering from a broken left hand suffered Oct. 23 against the Sabers in Buffalo.
The Canadian will lead again on Thursday, when he will be the host Vegas Golden Knights at the Bell Center.
