Voyage fructueux du Canadien dans l’Ouest: six observations et une question

The Canadian returned to Montreal on Wednesday after a fruitful four-game trip. The six points scored there allow him to take the leading position in the Atlantic Division.

• Also read: Great start for these five champions

• Also read: This is already a record in Canadian history for Cole Cofield!

It's a credit to Martin St. Louis' team because, no matter the quality of the opposition, traveling to the other end of the continent to play three matches in four nights is no easy feat.

These four meetings resulted in six observations… and one question.

Dobs is currently in the driver's seat.

Let's not shy away from saying that he has officially become the number one goalkeeper. However, the fact that he has started three of the four games shows that St. Louis currently views him as the goaltender who gives his team the best chance to win.

Given the statistics he presents, it would be difficult to think otherwise. He ranks in the top five in both goals-against average (1.97) and efficiency (0.930). He is far less erratic in front of goal than he was last year.

“I've been working very hard with Eric Raymond in the last few months. The repetitions probably help me move more easily,” the Czech said after his win in Seattle.

Just think, in the summer Kent Hughes signed Kaapo Kahkonen just in case.

Caufield is a big event player

Does your team need purpose? Make sure Cole Caufield is on the ice. The American returned from this trip with four more goals to his name. Four of the goals came at the right moments, like all he has scored since the start of the season.

Of his nine goals, four put the Canadian ahead, two tied the score, and three decided the match in overtime.

“In those moments in overtime, he wants the puck on his stick, he knows he can score from anywhere, in any situation,” Nick Suzuki said.

Demidov will soon become the best Canadian player

Martin Saint-Louis chose this trip to offer him a promotion during the first wave of the massive attack. Since then, this squad has scored three goals six times.

He's only 19 years old, but he's already giving opponents a hard time with the puck on his stick. Against the Flames and Canucks, he created numerous scoring opportunities for his teammates.

The day he throws more punches, he will become an even bigger threat because he will become unpredictable.

We won't get tired of Patrik Laine

Remained in Montreal for medical consultation. [il devra être opéré pour une hernie sportive]he did not accompany the team to the West. We didn't even realize it.

I must say that so far it has not been of much use. Sent into the second wave of the massive attack, he was still looking for the first point with a man advantage.

And at even strength, say Josh Anderson and Jake Evans are much better off with Brendan Gallagher alongside them.

Alex Newhook has a good hockey IQ

We've long wondered how Alex Newhook would be useful to the Canadian. Martin Saint-Louis may have found it. You will say that playing with Ivan Demidov helps. This is true.

Except that a player who is unreasonable on the ice will not be able to have the same success with a rookie.

“The talent of Demidov and Kapanen helps him offensively. But despite the two young players, Newey has always had energy in his game. So his efforts on defense allow him to play more with the puck,” said the Canadian head coach in Edmonton.

In Calgary, he was responsible for several zone entries, including the game-winning goal.

His coach turned him into a penalty kick specialist. That didn't stop him from scoring during a massive attack in Seattle. He finished the trip with three goals and an assist.

Oliver Kapanen is an NHL player.

Still the league's leading rookie scorer (4), Kapanen missed the target during this trip. However, he added three assists to his record.

Well, in the saddle in the center of Newhook and Demidov, he proves that he belongs in the NHL. We wouldn't have said that at the end of last season or during the playoffs because he seemed so lost.

Here he is now precise in his movements, always burying his nose in the enclave and vigorously retreating to the defensive.

Did the real Slafkovsky survive?

Juraj Slafkowski did not teach us great starts to the season. History that seemed to want to repeat itself… until this trip. The Slovakian has finally decided to use his physique to protect the puck, be more creative when he's on his stick and get his shots (10 in four games): three aspects that have been lacking too often.

“He plays very good hockey, he's a St. Louis fan. He shows consistency. When he brings game after game, it puts the percentage in his favor.”

Now he must make sure it continues.