Reinforcements in the attack for the Canadians
Eleven days after being in action for the last time, the Montreal Canadiens will return to service by welcoming the return to play of five players against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; RDS, SN, TNT).
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Veteran attackers Christian Dvorak, Mike Hoffman and Joel armia as well as Laurent Dauphin and Chris wideman will return to training. The first three have recovered from injuries, which they have treated for about a month each, while Dauphin and Wideman have completed their period of isolation linked to COVID-19.
Without Evans and Romanov
The attacker Jake evans and the defender Alexander Romanov, who joined the team in Boston on Tuesday, will not be in the game.
Coach Dominique Ducharme explained that both players were unable to keep fit on skates during their quarantine period in the United States.
Evans and Romanov saw their names put on the list of players with COVID-19 on January 1, ahead of the third match of the CH journey after Christmas.
“We wanted them to skate in the United States, but there was a problem with the delivery of their equipment. They only received them the day before their departure, ”explained Ducharme.
The coach said the pair will also not take part in Game 2 of the trip against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
“It would be dangerous for the injuries. We want them to have quality training sessions before they come back to the game, ”he said.
Evans said he understood the team’s decision, although he added that he was dying to play again. In morning training Wednesday, he completed a unit with two injured attackers, Tyler toffoli and Josh Anderson
Romanov formed a duo in defense with the reservist Corey schueneman.
The Habs (7-23-4) restarted the machine with a bang, with a journey of seven games lasting a total of 14 days. In his last outing, Jan. 1, he bowed 5-2 against the Florida Panthers.
Afflicted on all sides, the team was able to take advantage of a respite to restore their health.
Pitlick claimed on waivers
The Canadiens claimed the striker Rem Pitlick through waivers on Wednesday. Pitlick, a 24-year-old Ontarian, has 11 points, including six goals, in 20 games with the Minnesota Wild this season.
A third-round pick (76th) for the 2016 Nashville Predators, Pitlick has 31 games of NHL experience. His brother Rhett Pitlick, a 20-year-old left winger, was selected by the Habs in the fifth round in the 2019 draft.
Planned training of Canadians
Artturi Lehkonen – Nick suzuki – Mike Hoffman
Jonathan drouin – Christian Dvorak – Joel Armia
Laurent Dauphin – Ryan poehling – Cole caufield
Cedric Paquette – Lukas Vejdemo – Michael pezzetta
Ben chiarot – David Savard
Brett Kulak – Jeff petry
Sami niku – Chris Wideman
Jake allen
Samuel Montembeault
Entrenched: Alexander Romanov, Jake Evans, Corey Schueneman
Wounded: Brendan Gallagher (lower body), Josh Anderson (upper body), Tyler Toffoli (hand), Mathieu Perrault (undisclosed), Joel edmundson (not disclosed)
COVID-19 Protocol: Alex Belzile, Kale Clague, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Jesse Ylönen
Planned formation of the Bruins
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – Craig smith
Taylor hall – Erik Haula – David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk – Charlie coyle – Oskar Steen
Anton Blidh – Tomas nosek – Curtis Lazar
Matt grzelcyk – Charlie mcavoy
Mike reilly – Brandon carlo
John moore – Urho Vaakanainen
Linus Ullmark
Tuukka Rask
Entrenched: Karson kuhlman
Wounded: Nick foligno (lower body), Trent Frederic (upper body), Jakub zboril (knee)
COVID-19 Protocol: Connor Clifton, Derek Forbort