With the Montreal Canadiens struggling to regain their footing this season, head coach Martin St-Louis reiterated the need for his players to learn how to win. Following the Canadian team’s victory against the United States during the Confrontation des 4 Nations tournament, St-Louis emphasized the importance of managing risks to increase the chances of success.
St-Louis stated, "If there’s something to learn as a young team, it’s how to manage risk to have a greater chance of success," indicating the high stakes and the importance of careful play.
Currently, the Canadiens sit 13th in the Eastern Conference and are missing the playoff contention by six points. Their recent performance has been lackluster, having lost eight of their last nine games before the tournament break. The team has expressed the urgency to improve as they prepare for their match against the Ottawa Senators.
Player Josh Anderson, who missed some practice sessions due to treatment, returned with determination. "Every game is so important for us, and I’m ready to fight through the pain," Anderson stated, showing his commitment to the team’s success. Meanwhile, defender David Savard highlighted the need for the team to limit mistakes, saying, "We need to be careful with what we do and not give much to the other team. We had tendencies before the break to give away free opportunities.”
Two players returning to the team, Joel Armia and Patrik Laine, participated in the tournament, which proved to be intense but enriching. Armia commented on his experience, saying, "I had the chance to face those teams, but it was also special to play with my country’s best players." The atmosphere during the matches was electrifying, contributing to their excitement.
St-Louis has reconfigured his lines upon the return from the break. The training session on Friday saw players such as Anderson and Emil Heineman—the latter who has been recovering from injuries—practicing hard. While Heineman's return was not confirmed, he participated fully and trained with some of the key players, hinting at potentially more depth for the team.
The significance of teamwork and learning from experiences was reiterated by St-Louis. After observing the international tournament, he found parallels for his team to emulate. "The talent showcased was much higher than what we see during regular games. It’s about how they manage risks and give themselves the best chance to succeed," he explained.
With only six points separating them from playoff positions and only a handful of games left before the trade deadline on March 7, every upcoming match becomes increasingly important. The offseason may reshuffle players as contracts expire, adding to the urgency as well. "We are still in the race, we are trying to climb back up and we’ll see what happens," Savard said, capturing the sentiment within the team.
Armia expressed his desire to contribute to the team's success. "I love this team. I want us to win to have a push for the playoffs," he declared, underscoring the importance of upcoming matches for his personal career and the team's future.
Samuel Montembeault, who was recognized for his performance and leadership, will likely be key for the Canadiens as they continue their push. He’s expected to be the starting goalie for the Saturday games, even after receiving the medal for his contributions to the national team.
Overall, the Canadiens are seeking to reignite their season and learn from setbacks to look forward to what could be pivotal matches against the Senators. With experienced players emphasizing the importance of team cohesion and strategic risk management, the Canadiens will face the challenge head-on.