The Montreal Canadiens are set to continue their seven-game road trip against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday afternoon, facing a challenging match without several key players. The Canadiens, who have accumulated 50 points in their first 40 games, have dealt with numerous injuries throughout the season. Coach Martin St. Louis emphasized the importance of roster depth, stating, “You’re not going to go through this season with 23 guys… if you’re 30 deep, it’s good, because it could be way worse than that.”
As the Canadiens prepare for this matchup, they will likely need to adjust their lineup again. Defenseman Mike Matheson missed the previous game against the Carolina Hurricanes due to an upper-body injury, although he practiced on Friday. Forward Josh Anderson also left that game with an undisclosed injury, adding to the team’s challenges. The Canadiens are already without defenseman Kaiden Guhle and forwards Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, and Jake Evans, all sidelined by long-term injuries.
In Matheson’s absence, Adam Engstrom stepped into the lineup against the Hurricanes, contributing to the team’s 7-5 victory. Defenseman Arber Xhekaj made a significant impact with six hits and a blocked shot, showcasing the resilience of the team. “When your best defender goes down, you have to step up. There’s no excuses,” Xhekaj remarked, highlighting the need for younger players to rise to the occasion.
The Blues, who previously defeated the Canadiens 4-3 on December 7 in Montreal, will also be missing several forwards from that game. Captain Brayden Schenn led the offense in that matchup with two goals and an assist, while Dylan Holloway added a goal and two assists. The Blues come into the game with momentum after breaking a two-game losing streak, securing a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday.
Winger Alexey Toropchenko expressed the team’s renewed energy heading into the new year. He noted the importance of grit and determination, stating, “The main thing tonight we talked about was just having a response… We felt we got embarrassed last game.” In the win against the Golden Knights, Toropchenko and teammate Oskar Sundqvist each scored goals, contributing significantly to the fourth line’s success.
Coach Jim Montgomery had previously challenged the Blues to improve their performance following a disappointing 6-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Schenn’s late goal against Vegas demonstrated the team’s commitment to bounce back. “We did a good job… you have to respond with at least a good effort,” he stated, emphasizing the need for a strong performance against a skilled opponent.
As the Canadiens and Blues prepare for their upcoming clash, both teams will be looking to solidify their positions while navigating the challenges posed by injuries. The outcome of this game could prove crucial as they head deeper into the season, highlighting the importance of depth and resilience in the world of professional hockey.
