Habs ‘excited’ but remain focused on getting the win
OTTAWA What’s the most fun you can have when you’re plying hockey in -14 C temperatures that will feel like -21 C? Winning. While the Canadiens talked about having fun during a 45-minute workout on the eve of the NHL 100 Classic, veteran Tomas Plekanec put Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators (7 p.m., CBC, TV Sports, TSN-690 Radio) in perspective.
“The most important thing for us is to get the two points,” Plekanec said. “These games are different, they’re fun, but we have to remember we need points.”
The points are important because the Canadiens are chasing Boston for third place in the Atlantic Division — the Bruins are two points ahead with three games in hand — and they are also trying to widen their current five-point lead over the Senators.
Coach Claude Julien has been behind the bench for three outdoor games. He and the Canadiens were winners over Edmonton in the first Heritage Classic in 2003 and he lost two games with the Bruins, including the 2016 New Year’s Day game against the Canadiens at Gillette Stadium.
“There’s no doubt when you’re playing outside, you’re looking at more things than you would in a normal game,” Julien said. “Weather has an effect on your game plan. The ice was great today and we hope it’s the same tomorrow, but if the ice isn’t as good and there are certain situations with the weather and the wind, we’ll try to keep the game simple. You may have to tweak things along the way, but you don’t need to overload your players with all these things. But, as a coach, you have to be ready.”
When asked whether he liked outdoor games, Julien said: “I don’t hate these games. These games get a lot of people excited, even the players. There are guys who haven’t played an outdoor game yet. A lot of people will tell you it’s grown old, but it’s an experience. But you have to manage it properly. Guys have to understand that’s a big two points.”
One of the players who’s excited to be playing his first outdoor game is rookie Charles Hudon.
“When I was growing up (in Alma), we’d play on a rink set up on the lake, but this will be a whole new experience for me,” Hudon said.
Whether the idea of playing outdoors is getting old or not, the games are a source of revenue for the league and a source of pride for the host cities, which is why Canadiens president Geoff Molson is on the record as trying to figure out how to get an outdoor game in Montreal. The Senators drew about 12,000 fans for their home game against Los Angeles on Wednesday, but more than 30,000 fans are expected to brave the elements at TD Place Saturday.
While the venue will be considerably colder than an NHL arena, most of the players won’t add a layer of clothing.
“I fully believe less is more,” said defenceman Karl Alzner, who will be appearing in his third outdoor game. “If you just wear the stuff you normally wear, you’ll feel better. It takes about five minutes to feel really good out there and then after that you feel normal.’
Alzner did say short shifts were important because it’s more difficult to breathe in the cold.
“You take in that cold air and it closes off your lungs quicker so it’s definitely important to play smart. You definitely don’t want to get hemmed in you own zone because that will weigh on you pretty good.”
Carey Price, who recalled playing outdoors in his preteen years in the Interior of B.C., will make his 10th consecutive start in goal and no changes are expected from the lineup that beat New Jersey 2-1 in overtime Thursday night. Artturi Lehkonen practised Friday, but hasn’t been cleared to play. He’s been out since Nov. 11 with a lower-body injury.