Habs hope to keep momentum going
MONTREAL — The Canadiens brought in a guest speaker Wednesday and Brendan Gallagher, who is an expert on passion, said Hall of Famer Bob Gainey delivered a passionate message as he spoke about playing on five Stanley Cup-winning teams.
“There are not many organizations that can count on former players as experienced as ours, and we were fortunate to have one with us today,” Gallagher said after the Canadiens held an off-ice workout as they awaited the winner of the West Division final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche.
Gallagher said Gainey, who also served as head coach and general manager of the team, stressed the importance of being ready for the first game and establishing their style of play.
“These are things we’re going to do this week to make sure we’re well rested, but also to stay mentally and physically ready,” said Gallagher. “We want to pick up where we left off at the end of the series against Winnipeg.”
That series offered a lesson for the Canadiens because the Jets had a week off after sweeping Edmonton in the first round and never recovered from a slow start against Montreal. If Vegas beat Colorado on Thursday in Game 6 (the result of Thursday’s game was unavailable at deadline), the semifinal could start as early as Saturday. If the Avalanche have forced a Game 7, the Canadiens are looking at a Monday or Tuesday series start.
The Canadiens returned to the practice facility on Thursday and interim head coach Dominique Ducharme said it didn’t matter that the Canadiens didn’t know the identity of their next opponent before that on-ice session.
“We focus on us,” said Ducharme. “Each team has its strengths, its weaknesses and its own style of play. The most important thing is us. We will have the chance to hold two or three practices on the ice before starting the series (and) we want to work on our things and make sure we’re 100-per-cent ready. Regardless of the opponent, it doesn’t change the way we play.”
If Quebec Premier François Legault wants to win another playoff bet, he should consider a way to get more fans into the Bell Centre for the next round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Gallagher and Ducharme expressed hope the province will allow more fans into the Bell Centre, where the attendance is capped at 2,500. They noted that the U.S. teams have an advantage because their buildings are operating at full capacity.
“Every time there is a fan who comes into the Bell Centre, we feel the energy on our side,” said Ducharme. “Would we like to have the right to welcome more supporters? For sure. I would say that the 2,500 fans are already making their voice heard and that brings energy to our team. If we could have a full house, it would be amazing to feel the frenzy and the atmosphere.
We are aware of what is happening with the pandemic, (but) each time we can add a supporter, it is a plus for our team.”
Ducharme had some good news on the medical front.
He said defenceman Jeff Petry is making progress as he recovers from what is believed to be a couple of dislocated fingers on his right hand. Ducharme said Petry could be ready for Game 1 of the semifinal series.
Petry had the misfortune of getting his fingers caught in a hole in the glass that is designed to give photographers a clearer view of the action.
There was no photographer present at the time Petry’s fingers were caught in the hole and there are two explanations why the hole wasn’t plugged. Either a photographer forgot to replace the hole plug or it was a case of negligence by the arena maintenance staff.
Ducharme said forward Jake Evans started off-ice training as he recovers from a concussion suffered during a vicious Game 1 check that resulted in a five-game suspension for Jets star Mark Scheifele. Ducharme added there was a possibility Evans could return for the next series, but there’s no urgency to get him back. Artturi Lehkonen has played well as Evans’ replacement on the shutdown line with Phillip Danault and Gallagher.