NHL: The Canadiens return to the Bell Center to take on the Rangers

Catch the game between the Rangers and Canadiens starting at 7 p.m. Tonight on RDS and RDS.ca.

before the match

After a grueling seven-game streak that ended Tuesday in Nashville with a sixth straight loss, the Canadian He finally comes home to confront New York Rangers tonight.

In front of their supporters at the Bell Center, the Martin St. Louis squad will attempt a win for the first time since December 19, when they got Arizona Coyotes on their skating rink.

“It’s been a tough month, December, we all know that. But here we have to look forward,” said the coach, who said he was focused above all on solving the defensive problems of his troops.

“Since I’ve been here – it’s been 11 months – this is the first time my team has really gone down [dans une aussi mauvaise passe]. Not in terms of results, but more in terms of performance. This is where you try to find the answers, but the answers aren’t always there. We’re looking for them and that’s what we did for a good part of yesterday. We can’t think that everything will come back just by continuing to play. You have to pay attention to the small details. Is it the coaches fault? players? It might be a little of both. »

Nothing to help the team striker Brendan GallagherThe injured lower body will miss the game against the Rangers. It’s the same injury that sidelined him for 13 matches. The duration of his absence is unknown at this time. He will meet a doctor in the evening.

Moreover, the attacker Mike Hoffman It will be excluded, just like noon Justin Barron. Jonathan Kovacevic He will return to the defensive brigade.

In justifying Hoffman’s removal from the roster, St. Louis claimed he wanted to see more “consistency” from him and “be more physically involved”.

Jake Allen He will be the goalkeeper for CH.

striker Sean Monahan and cannons Mike MathisonThe Canadian, who did not accompany the Canadian on the road during the holiday season to treat injuries, skated the morning before the team’s regular training session.

The Rangers will be looking for a third straight win. On Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, the BlueShirts broke the team’s winning streak to 11. Carolina Hurricanes.

Yaroslav, how are you? He will get a start in the net for the Rangers.

Artemy Panarin He is currently the leading scorer for the Rangers with 11 goals and 44 points. He follows closely Mika Zibanejad (19 goals and 43 points).

Stripped from the Rangers squad on December 29th vs Tampa Bay LightningQuebec Alexis Lafreniere He appeared in the team’s last two games, earning no points. In 38 games this season, the first pick of the 2020 NHL Draft has 5 goals and 12 assists.

The Habs will play their next three games at home. On Saturday he will receive a visit St. Louis Bluesthen it will be a turn Seattle Kraken and the Nashville Predators To stop by the bell center on Mondays and Thursdays.

Canadian formation in training:

Caufield Suzuki Dash
Slavkovsky Anderson Dvorak
Dadonov Evans Jeremiah
Peseta Drouin Richard
Hoffman (extra)

Edmondson Savard
Harris Kovacevic
Xhekaj-Wideman

Allen
Montembolt

More details to come