Montreal Canadiens forward Zachary Bolduc was recently moved from the team's first line to the third line, but he's not unhappy at all about finding himself alongside two good veterans in Philippe Danault and Josh Anderson.
“(Dano) is a guy who thinks, he's very smart on the ice, me and 'Andy', we want to show our speed and forecheck and we have good shots, we have to find open spaces. Absolutely, I think the potential is there.” explained the 22-year-old wingerThursday, hours before the clash between CH and the Carolina Hurricanes.
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Bolduc has been moved from one line to another since the beginning of the season, whether due to his play, the line's play in general, or due to injuries suffered by his teammates.
“Of course, stability is always welcome, but this is what it is now,” he said. But I'm a versatile guy who can play in any match. I think it's up to me to show the best version of myself, depending on where I am in the lineup.
With 10 goals and seven assists to start the season, the former St. Louis Blues star wouldn't mind spending some time alongside Danault and Anderson.
“I'm playing with guys who have been in the league for a long time, who have a pretty simple and straightforward game, I'm happy and I think we can create great chemistry between the three of us,” he said.
Good fourth line
While that third trio has potential, the fourth, currently consisting of Joe Veleno, Brendan Gallagher and Samuel Blais, has been serving the Canadian well for a few games now.
“In general, we do a good job of managing the risks we take when the other team's big players are on the ice,” explained national coach Martin Saint-Louis. And we need four trios who understand this. When you understand this, it makes it harder for you to counter the team, and the fourth line gives us that.
“We keep it simple, bring energy, be physical, stay in front of the goalkeeper.” Veleno explained at a press briefing.
“On the road, you need the coach’s trust to take a shot in defensive territory without a last minute substitution,” the Quebecer continued. I think our trio is capable of finding that kind of confidence (…) we try to bring it as much as possible to all matches.
In a more subdued role, Montreal offers the type of play that St. Louis values.
“Joe Veleno plays very well defensively and has good rhythm,” the coach said. It's a combination of many things, but it starts with attitude and intention.
Like Bolduc, Veleno values playing alongside experienced players.
“Everything is simpler: you can hear a little more where the guys are on the ice,” he said. You know the “game” a little more, how it works, sometimes it becomes a little more natural. That's the biggest difference.”
