With the start of the NHL season growing closer and closer, there is a strong possibility that the Habs might have to start the season without two key members of their power play. Tomas Plekanec is questionable for Saturday night with a rib injury and PK Subban has yet to sign a new contract with the team.
Canadiens assistant coaches, Gerard Gallant and Clement Jodin, got to work with a group of players an hour before camp started to practice the man advantage. Alex Galchenyuk was out there on the second unit with captain Brian Gionta and Lars Eller. Michel Therrien explained to the media that if the club decides to keep Galchenyuk, it is important for him to have the opportunity to practice the power play.
First Unit:
Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole
Markov - Kaberle
Second Unit:
Galchenyuk - Eller - Gionta
Bouillon - Diaz with Weber rotating in
Defenceman Mike Commodore, who was among the four Hamilton Bulldogs players to be invited to camp, was finally able to practice with the team. Commodore was forced to miss the first two days of camp due to a pre-existing heart condition. The Canadiens medical staff wanted Commodore to pass a stress test at a local Montreal hospital before allowing him to take part in the camp.
Once again, Michel Therrien decided to go with the same lines on Tuesday.
Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole
Galchenyuk - Eller - Gionta
Bourque - Prust - Moen
Gallagher - White - Armstrong (with Dumont rotating in at LW and C)
Kaberle - Gorges (with Commodore rotating with Gorges)
Markov - Emelin
Bouillon - Diaz
Tinordi - Weber (with Commodore rotating with Weber)
Players from Hamilton invited to take part in the intra-squad game on Thursday night at the Bell Centre arrived in Montreal. Patrick Holland, Michael Bournival, Louis Leblanc, Michael Blunden and Frederic St Denis all underwent medicals Tuesday and will join the Habs on Wednesday.
