Canadiens Keep It Quiet Ahead of Blackhawks Home Opener—Fans Want More
The Montreal Canadiens hit the ice at United Center for their first morning skate of the season on Saturday, but the session raised eyebrows for what didn’t happen.
Head coach Martin St-Louis opted for a minimalist approach, keeping the skate short and uneventful. With puck drop scheduled for 6:00 p.m. local time—closer to 7:15 p.m. ET due to the Blackhawks’ home opener festivities—St-Louis gave his players just enough time to shake off Friday’s rest day. But some fans are questioning whether “just enough” is really enough.
The lineup remains unchanged from Saturday’s projected roster, with Samuel Montembeault confirmed as the starting goaltender. Joe Veleno and Jayden Struble skated as extras, while the rest of the squad followed familiar pairings.
Practice Lines and Pairings:
Forwards Caufield – Suzuki – Slafkovsky Bolduc – Dach – Gallagher Newhook – Kapanen – Demidov Anderson – Evans – Laine
Defensemen Matheson – Dobson Guhle – Hutson Xhekaj – Carrier
Goalies Montembeault (starter) Dobes
While consistency can be a virtue, critics argue that the Canadiens are missing an opportunity to experiment, especially with fresh talent like Bolduc and Demidov in the mix. With Chicago’s crowd expected to be electric for their season opener, some wonder if Montreal’s quiet prep will translate into a flat performance.
Is St-Louis preserving energy—or playing not to lose?
Stay tuned as the Canadiens face off against the Blackhawks in what promises to be a high-stakes opener under the lights in Chicago.