In a way, the Canadians’ visit to Ottawa on Saturday night marks Jonathan Drouin’s return to the game. We say kinda because it’s a preseason game – the fourth of the Habs.

Nonetheless, the 27-year-old forward will don his shirt for the first time since March 21.

He was originally scheduled to face the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Due to illness, he had to give up his place to Juraj Slafkovsky.

It was a very funny coincidence for a player who keeps hammering away at his desire to stay healthy in hopes of finally playing a full season.

“Playing 82 games is my only goal for the season,” he said again on Friday afternoon at the end of team training. Last year I didn’t have any problems with my playing style. It was another injury that ended my season.

“In fact, in each of the last three, it was my health that got me out of the way with injuries to both of my wrists,” he continued.

Affinities to Monahan

In training, Drouin manned the left wing of a unit supplemented by Sean Monahan and Joel Armia. Monahan, who is still recovering from surgery on his left hip, will not face the senators.

However, Drouin would welcome the opportunity to evolve in the coming weeks with the one the Flames drafted in the first round (6th overall) at the 2013 auction.

According to him, their styles would complement each other perfectly.

“Sean is great at finding space near the net and my number one quality is passing the puck. He’d scored many goals from that pitch in recent years when he wasn’t injured, Drouin recalled, citing the Ontarian’s three seasons of more than 30 goals. He has experience and he also has a lot to prove with his injuries.

And both are finishing the last year of their contract.