On Saturday night, the Montreal Canadiens greeted the Detroit Red Wings at the Bell Centre. The result was a 4-0 loss.
Here’s what caught my eye.
Xhekaj has won the 6D spot.
It has been obvious that this was the preferred approach. The Canadiens want Arber Xhekaj’s size and physicality in the line-up. But they can’t keep in him the line-up at the cost of reliable defence.
In recent weeks a separation has taken place and the decision had become obvious. In Guhle’s return, Xhekaj was outstanding. If he can be consistent, the D group is solid. The Habs should be motivated to keep Hutson on the left side, and if Xhekaj can get stronger on the right, that would solve some issues.
The Canadiens are leaning on Fowler.
Jacob Fowler got the Saturday night game again, despite weeks having passed since Jakob Dobes played. It seems more and more likely that it will be Dobes who is demoted to Laval. At this point he might need the conditioning.
It’s a tough reality for Dobes, who admirably filled his role as back-up. It was the starting goalie’s issues that led to the crisis in net. Now Dobes might lose his spot to the solution to that crisis.
Fowler is learning some tough lessons about NHL pace. Last night he got caught out of his net trying to play the puck and got a weird bounce off the boards. Could happen to anyone. A couple of weeks ago he tried to play the puck and turned it over for a goal. Things can go off the rails fast in this league.
The Habs have more sensitive identity moments coming up.
Kaiden Guhle’s return was the easiest one. Everyone, implicated players included, knew that Guhle’s spot in the line-up was secure and that Xhekaj and Struble were just getting a long audition. Struble may be disappointed, but he knew what was on. They’ve been competing for that 6D spot for ages.
Not every decision will be as simple as sending Adam Engstrom back to dominate in Laval as Guhle’s return approached. Who sits for Dach… and Evans… and Laine… and Newhook?
We keep saying these are good problems to have, and that’s true. But that doesn’t mean they are easy problems to resolve. This team’s identity was solidified with replacement players in the line-up. Simply replacing them won’t be simple.
Will the guys whose spot is guaranteed be the same list as who is playing best?
Hab At Her 