Therrien in learning mode with new team
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could almost hear the strains of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Getting to Know You in the background as Canadiens coach Michel Therrien explained his line juggling in preparation for the Florida Panthers’ visit to the Bell Centre on Tuesday ( 7:30 p.m., RDS, TSN 690 Radio).
“I only started learning my team last week in training camp,” Therrien said. “We had no exhibition games and Saturday was the first time I saw them in competition. I’m learning about them and they’re learning about me.”
Therrien said none of the changes he made at practice Monday are set in stone, but there were some interesting moves.
The coach went out of his way to praise Rene Bourque, who was a disappointment after he arrived from Calgary last January in a trade for Michael Cammalleri. Therrien put him on a line with Brian Gionta and Tomas Plekanec midway through the 2-1 season-opening loss to Toronto on Saturday and liked what he saw so much that the trio is still together.
“He was intense and he skated hard and that’s what we want from him,” Therrien said. “I think he brought some life to Gionta and Plekanec.”
Bourque knows he didn’t play well last season and he’s not using a lingering abdominal strain or the change of address as an excuse.
“It wasn’t a good season for a lot of guys, but I’ve had an operation and I feel good skating,” Bourque said. “I was happy with my ice time the other night and I want to be one of those guys the coach has confidence in to play in every situation.”
Bourque took rookie Alex Galchenyuk’s spot at left wing on the Plekanec line, but Therrien indicated that he has a different role for the first-round draft pick. He was at centre between Brandon Prust and rookie Brendan Gallagher.
“We all know Alex is going to be a centre,” said Therrien, whose thinking last week was that the rookie’s adjustment to the NHL would be smoother on the wing. “We know he can play left wing and he can play right wing. It’s important, especially for young players, to be able to play a lot of different positions.”
Ryan White was at centre between Travis Moen and Colby Armstrong and that would indicate that Lars Eller’s stock has fallen. He and Mike Blunden were the spare forwards and Therrien ducked a question about Eller’s play in the opening game by saying he wanted to look forward.
The trio that remained intact was Max Pacioretty, David Desharnais and Erik Cole. “They didn’t have a good game but I know what they can do,” Therrien said. “I saw them play last year.”
“It’s like Carey (Price) was saying, that game against the Leafs is going to be the worst game we play this season,” said Pacioretty, unhappy about his play. “I think I was hurrying, trying to force the play. I have to slow things down and look at what’s available.”
The Panthers got off to a good start with an easy win over Carolina on Saturday and former Canadien Alex Kovalev led the way with a goal and two assists.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him,” Pacioretty said. “He was here when I first came and I played with him and he helped me a lot. He lives near me in the summer (in Connecticut) and we train together sometimes. He told me he was getting a tryout with Florida and I’m not surprised he’s having some success because he has a great skill set.”
After the Florida game, the Canadiens will go on the road for the first time this season. They play the Washington Capitals on Thursday night and then return home to face the New Jersey Devils in a rare Sunday home game at 6 p.m.
Kovalev and his teammates weren’t as productive Monday night as they were shut out 4-0 by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place. Craig Anderson made 31 saves for the shutout.