Practice: Samuel Montembeault in goal | Alexandre Texier on the first line

Félix Forget
Practice: Samuel Montembeault in goal | Alexandre Texier on the first line
Credit: Getty Images

Last night, Martin St-Louis made an adjustment to his lineup in the third period. While Zachary Bolduc usually skates alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, it was Alexandre Texier who skated on the first line.

This was obviously intended as a message to Bolduc, who gets a lot out of this line.

We wondered whether this change would be permanent… and today's practice was interesting in that respect.

First of all, from what we could see in practice, everything points to Samuel Montembeault getting the start against the Panthers. This will be a big test for Monty, whose last start came on December 2.

We know that the Habs wanted to give Montembeault a start soon, as he's not having an easy season. Fresh from a stint in the AHL, this will be a crucial game for the Québécois.

I'm expecting Jakub Dobes to be his backup, and for him to get the start on Thursday night. But that's just a feeling.

As for the lines, when practice started this afternoon, Bolduc was back on the first line.

Texier was back with Phillip Danault and Josh Anderson, his regular partners.

However, a little later in the session, things finally changed: we reviewed the combinations used in the third period yesterday.

Texier was back on the first line, while Bolduc skated with Phillip Danault and Josh Anderson.

There's every reason to believe that these trios will once again be sent into the fray tomorrow against the Panthers. It's worth noting that Texier wasn't much better than Bolduc either… but he did bring something interesting to the table.

At the moment, the club is trying to find ways to boost Suzuki and Caufield, who have been more effete at 5-on-5 since Juraj Slafkovský(last week's third NHL All-Star) took over the second line. Especially since, at the moment, it's Slaf's line that looks like the first trio.

One wonders whether Kirby Dach, had he not suffered a setback in his rehabilitation, would have been entitled to this opportunity. But considering he didn't even make the trip with the club, it's now Texier who gets to play on the first line.

At least, he got it yesterday… and if practice is anything to go by, he could get it again tomorrow. Clearly, something to keep an eye on.


Overtime

– Holy Slaf.

– Hehe.

– Good point.

– Interesting.

– The Blue Jays want to win at all costs.

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