October 13, 2022 – It wasn’t a great game, but it was entertaining. The kids were alright except for Slafkovsky who really needs to get to the AHL and play lots of minutes. Mostly he needs to keep his feet moving. Compared to Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, and Arber Xhekaj, #1 looked a bit lost most of his time on the ice. He needs minutes. He needs to work really hard to improve his skating. And speaking of skating, Stumpy Gallagher was moving really well. Now if he could hit the net….
For the Habs there was much more good than bad. Sean Monahan looked really good, and notched his first goal as a Hab. Guhle looked great. Savard had an oopsie that led to a goal for the Leafs, but he also blocked a ton of shots. Jake Allen was steady. He played winning hockey which is all the team can ask of him. He didn’t give up any Montys. Hoffman showed that he could skate the puck well too.
Caulfield scored two goals and had other opportunities.
Xhekaj 7, Kovacevic 7, Savard 9, Harris 7, Suzuki 6, and Caufield with 7, were In The Game ™
For Montreal fans all is well. The city simply is happier when the Habs win. Still a lot of work to do. Still a lot of questions to be answered, and moves to be made, but for at least this first day, all is well in Habland.
jamie@cornwallfreenews.com