In a recent practice session, Montreal Canadiens’ head coach Martin St-Louis made significant lineup adjustments. Notably, Juraj Slafkovsky was removed from the first-line position and replaced by Zachary Bolduc. Slafkovsky will now line up with Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen.
Current Forward Lines
The new forward combinations are as follows:
- Caufield – Suzuki – Bolduc
- Slafkovsky – Kapanen – Demidov
- Texier – Beck (Evans) – Anderson
- Gallagher – Veleno – Davidson
This change comes ahead of the Canadiens’ upcoming road games. Additionally, Jake Evans was absent from practice due to a foot injury, which led to Owen Beck stepping in.
Defensive and Goalie Situations
On the defensive side, the team maintained its regular pairings, with Adam Engstrom positioned as the seventh defenseman. Three goalies participated in practice, but Jacob Fowler remained in his net throughout the session.
The participation of the 17 healthy skaters from the previous game suggests that they will be available for the next match versus Pittsburgh, except for Evans, who is out for personal reasons.
Coaching and Management Insights
After the practice, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens’ management duo, were observed closely watching the proceedings. Additionally, Pascal Vincent commented on Jacob Fowler’s strong mental resilience and potential recall, highlighting the goalie’s impressive performance with the Laval Rocket.
The dynamics of the team and various player adjustments indicate a strategic approach by the coaching staff as they navigate their upcoming challenges on the ice.
