Prust, Emelin almost ready to return to Habs’ lineup

Both players bring physical dimension and could play Saturday

MONTREAL Brandon Prust has a reputation for being an honest hockey player and says he has to be honest with himself before he resumes an active role with the Canadiens.

Prust, who injured his right shoulder on Oct. 21, moved one step closer to a return this week when he was cleared for contact. He said there is a possibility he could face his former team, the New York Rangers, Saturday night at the Bell Centre.

“That’s the plan; it will be four weeks this Saturday, but there’s no guarantee,” Prust said after joining nine other players on the ice for an optional practice Wednesday. “It’s still not 100 per cent, but it’s close.

“I’ll practise with the guys tomorrow and see how I feel,” Prust added. “The strength is good, there’s still some discomfort, but we’re not far away. But I have to be honest with myself. I won’t come back if I’m not 100 per cent and I can’t help the team.”

Prust isn’t the only Canadien poised to rejoin the team this weekend. Coach Michel Therrien said this week that he expects to use defenceman Alexei Emelin on Saturday night. The Russian has been rehabbing after major knee surgery to repair ligaments damaged in a game on April 6.

The Rangers game is the second half of a back-to-back set that begins Friday against the Blue Jackets in Columbus, but it’s unlikely Prust or Emelin will play in that game.

Emelin and Prust are similar players because they both bring a physical element to the game. Their return should make the Canadiens a harder team to play against and it will be interesting to see how Therrien uses them.

The coach has a reputation for easing injured players back into the lineup and that means Emelin will likely start on the third pairing with either Douglas Murray or Francis Bouillon.

Prust will probably find a spot on the fourth line, but he has the skill set to move up if Therrien feels he needs some energy on one of his top three lines.

There was a definite lack of energy for most of the Canadiens in a 2-1 shootout loss to Tampa Bay Tuesday night, and that was the subject of a team meeting Wednesday morning.

“We had a little talk like we do after all games, but this one was a little more grim,” said Daniel Brière, who returned to the lineup after missing 10 games with a concussion.

“It’s not a fun morning, coming to work knowing that you were outworked and outplayed in our own building.

“I believe we have to look at ourselves individually rather than point fingers elsewhere. Our record is not pretty in the last six games (1-3-2) and everyone has to see where they can be better.”

Prust has had two shoulder injuries this year and joked that “I’m going to try stopping running into the boards head first.”