Avs Not Sitting Back on Recently Successful Canadiens

Statistically, the Montreal Canadiens do not look like a tough team for the Avalanche to beat. They’re coming in on the second half of a back-to-back, in which they lost 4-2 to the worst in the league, the Chicago Blackhawks. Nonetheless, the Avs are not underestimating their opponent.

“It’s weird. Teams come here on back-to-back and they play well. Winnipeg played really well. We don’t get many teams on a back-to-back, so hopefully take advantage of that,” Cale Makar said. “But for us, they got some really lethal players, and lethal shooters, really good power play. So it’s going to take a team effort.”

Head coach Jared Bednar isn’t sleeping on this Habs team, either. He wants his team to be prepared for a challenge regardless of their record (17-18-3, 37 points) and where they are in the standings (sixth in the Atlantic Division).

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“Every team is going to have ups and downs. They’ve had a little tough go on a slow start, but they’ve won five of their last six, five of their last seven, maybe, now,” Bednar said after practice on Friday. “They’re a good team. I don’t look at a team’s record, that’s why I warn our guys — you have to look at how they’re playing recently.”

The Habs have won six of their last eight and were victorious over top teams in the league. They shut out the Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers and beat the Vegas Golden Knights in regulation.

Jonathan Drouin said it is always tough facing former teams, as he was with the Canadiens for six seasons. He has only played two games since coming back from injury and is not quite 100%, but has four points from those matchups.

“I’m not back there yet, very close, but I’m not back there. I felt really good the game I got hurt against Florida, so the fourth game, I started feeling my legs a little more,” Drouin said. “But yeah, I think it’s just the process. You can simulate a hockey game. You can practice all you want. You can bike all you want. It’s not the same. But as every period goes on, I feel better.”

Neither team had a morning skate so lineups and starters are subject to change. The Canadiens played their No. 1 goalie Sam Montembeault against the Blackhawks so it’s expected backup Jakub Dobes will start. One of their top forwards, Patrik Laine,, did not play in Chicago due to illness, so he may be out again against the Avs.

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No matter, the Avalanche had a solid practice on Friday and looked ready to compete with the momentum they gained in the 6-5 overtime win vs the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.