Canadiens’ Second Line Picking Up Right Where It Left Off

While Martin St-Louis ' decision to put Juraj Slafkovsky on the second line to start the preseason might have surprised a few people, the move made the coach look very good in the first game. The three youngsters looked like they'd never stopped playing together and linked up with ease. There's a predictability there that's hard to deny; they know where they are on the ice. Shots came in from every direction, and without numerous posts, their shot total would have been even higher than seven. Overall, they were the Canadiens' most visible line.

I know the way he plays; I know what he's going to do. I feel that's why it's working between him and me, because I anticipate what he's going to do. I think we know where we are; even if sometimes we throw a blind pass or something, we know what moments, which areas, where we are on the ice…I think it's pretty good, but I feel like there's so much room to improve; I feel we're only going to get better.

With Kaiden Guhle being injured to start the season, there's a job to be won on the blueline, and Arber Xhekaj would love to grab that spot. The hulking blueliner had an interesting game, throwing his body around a lot and logging eight hits. However, at times, that meant he got himself out of the play and was beaten to the net, giving the opponent scoring opportunities.