The assembled puzzle | The Journal de Quebec

I'm not convinced that the Canadiens will play in the playoffs, but the pieces of the puzzle are assembled, the show is excellent, the chemistry is good, the players strive and Claude Julien has options to lead as he pleases. It's encouraging.

Okay, the Habs are not an aspiring Stanley Cup team, but for the first time in many years, there is no black cloud floating above the team. Last year, the CEO, Marc Bergevin solved the problem of attitude, but there was still a catch.

Everyone wanted to see more of Jonathan Drouin. Let's admit that he has now moved to another level. He is on track to regain the level of confidence he had in the junior ranks, which we have not seen at home since his debut in Tampa in 2014. It promises!

We feel that he wants to lead the parade and not just be in second or third place. This is also what his teammates want to see from him and in my opinion, the attack successes of the Canadian will pass first by Drouin. He is the most talented striker in Montreal.

He even demonstrates leadership and seems comfortable with this challenge. If he gets involved in every game, the other players will be happy to follow him. They will not be able to look at him, thinking he has more time than he deserves.

It was nice to see Drouin applauding the crowd at the Bell Center on Saturday night after the Blues win. Just before he had received a well-deserved ovation. What a contrast to the negativity that reigned around him at the training camp!

Leadership and depth

When I say that the pieces of the puzzle are in place, the CH has one of the NHL's best goalkeepers and in the back, Shea Weber is always intimidating. Julien knows how to manage his time of use. Jeff Petry asserts himself.

In terms of leadership, the Canadian is well served with Price, Weber, Brendan Gallagher, Max Domi and now, Drouin. It shows in the relentlessness of the team. When a player like Paul Byron is on the fourth line, there is depth to the attack. Julien has options.

We are also discovering Joel Armia. The base of the Canadian is solid.

For the first time in his career, Price knows he can win even if the Canadiens trailed by two or three goals. His teammates never give up and score more than four goals per game. Offensively, it's above expectations. The massive attack is improved, the defenders more support the attack and seem to take a little more chances because they believe in Price.

Julien adjusted

The coaches must constantly adjust in this league and I think we see an improved version of Claude Julien. That said, the Canadiens scored 21 goals in 5 games, but he also added 21. With a zero differential, you're out of the playoffs. It will require discipline, avoid bad penalties and be more effective in numerical inferiority as well as in the defensive game.

Collectively, the Canadiens can progress, but on an individual level, I think players are at their best. In addition, the team is exciting. After the departure of P.K. Subban, it was said that the Habs were a boring formation, but this is no longer the case, far from it.

The series is possible, but the Canadian must absolutely avoid lethargy and can not afford to have passengers in training.

-Propos collected by Gilles Moffet

snippets

Kinkaid, Suzuki and Kulak

Without being bad, goalkeeper Keith Kinkaid was not convincing Wednesday in Buffalo, in a defeat of 5 to 4 in overtime. After Antti Niemi's bad season last year, I do not think we'll be very patient with Kinkaid. In my opinion, he has five or six games to convince management that he deserves to be in Montreal. Ignored at the ballot, Charlie Lindgren has every interest to excel at the Rocket Laval. He could have a second chance. However, I would like to let Cayden Primeau develop in Laval. It might not be bad for young striker Nick Suzuki to continue learning with the Rocket. The third player who puzzles me in Montreal is the

Defender 25-year-old Brett Kulak.

Caufield well away

I think I will start following American college hockey. Canada's first choice, Cole Caufield, scored two goals in each of his first two games with Canada's Badgers.

University of Wisconsin this weekend. This young man is great! Will he be ready to play in Montreal next year?

Good choice

I liked Claude Julien's decision to hold a video session rather than a practice on Friday after two games in 24 hours. It was the day before the duel against the Stanley Cup champions, the St. Louis Blues. Today, with all the camera angles available, players learn a lot through video. We had less information in my time. In addition, the seasons are long and a little physical rest, it feels good.

New trend

Buffalo Sabers coach Ralph Krueger is an interesting character, and he wants to eliminate the traditional morning practice on the day of a game. That too is a good idea and I do not think this ritual is necessary. Modern players know how to prepare and what is remarkable is that everyone seems to have their own routine.