CH: a very optional training

; DAY

There were practically more coaches on the ice surface at the Bell Sports Complex than players at the Montreal Canadiens' optional training on Wednesday.

The attackers Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Alex Belzile, Rem Pitlick, Michael Pezzetta and Jesse Ylonen, as well as defenders Johnathan Kovacevic, Chris Wideman and Kaiden Guhle, responded. Goalkeepers Jake Allen and Samuel Montembeault were also part of the day's exercise.

Ghule, however, wore a “no contact” vest, as he suffered an upper body injury. He was hit during last week's game against the Anaheim Ducks and missed the Habs' last two games.

Head coach Martin St-Louis, however, was unsure when the first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2020 draft would be able to return to play.

In addition, defenseman Justin Barron jumped on second ice at the Brossard training complex for solo exercises. The young man was injured during last Thursday's duel against the Kings in Los Angeles.

The Canadian will host the New York Rangers at the Bell Center on Thursday. The St-Louis troupe will try to put an end to a series of four losses.

“It's going to be a great challenge,” Montembeault said of the Rangers. They have four good lines. We are going to face several good teams here [in Montreal] soon. We are playing good hockey right now and it will be important to continue to make constant efforts.”

Same story for Kovacevic.

“In our last games, we didn't get the results we expected, but we played the right way,” said the full-back. We build the foundations of our team identity. We are going to face some good teams soon and it is a great challenge. If we can compete against them, it will be great for us.”

After the “Blueshirts”, the New Jersey Devils (Saturday) and the Colorado Avalanche will be visiting the Quebec metropolis.< /p>