VOORHEES, New Jersey | The Canadian’s defensive brigade has surprised many this season. Despite the youth of its members, it fared well around its guardian.

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However, since Starbreak’s return, it’s the offensive aspect of his contribution that has drawn attention. In those six games, the Habs Guards scored nine of the team’s 22 goals.

“It’s encouraging to see that,” said Martin St-Louis, at the conclusion of the practice held in the Philadelphia suburbs. We have to continue to improve on these offensive concepts without forgetting our defensive work.

To say they only scored 12 goals in the first 51 games of the season. How can such a turnaround be explained?

“We support the offensive better,” said Mike Matheson. At the beginning of the season we made passes to our forwards, then we stopped there. We didn’t join them.”

“We always ask attackers to come and help us when we are in our territory. It’s a little bit the same but in reverse,” he continued.

Matheson takes it easy

With 14 points, including three goals, on the clock, Matheson is the second-best Canadian defender, one point behind Jordan Harris. However, the veteran has played 30 games less.

Of those 14 points, almost half (6) have been scored since returning from a 10-day break.

“He’s been playing really good hockey lately. We can see he’s starting to take his place and be more comfortable, St-Louis recognized. Changing teams is never easy. Adaptation doesn’t happen overnight.

Not to mention, the Pointe-Claire native missed 34 of the first 44 games of the season through injury.

“When I started again, a lot of questions ran through my mind. Now I trust myself more. I’m using my instincts a little bit more,” said the 28-year-old skater.

Barron hatches

Justin Barron is another who did not start the season with the team but has made great strides in recent weeks. It feels a lot tighter.

St. Louis says the start of the American League season has been good for him.

“It gave him the opportunity to work on his game. When you find yourself there, you have to make an effort. Now is not the time to feel sorry for yourself.”

Obviously the effort the 21-year-old has put into his few months at Laval.

“Once called back, you have to fight. You have to show that you’re a reliable player that the coach can trust. Only then can you lean back and attack,” said St-Louis.

Barron seems to be here. In purely production terms, he moved the ropes three times in six games.

“Justin has an offensive touch. But he can never fulfill his potential without first being a responsible player. And that’s what we’re seeing from him right now,” added St-Louis.

All against the Flyers

Matheson, Barron and their cronies will look to continue their momentum against the Flyers. The latter have a hard time these days.

Since the start of the season without Sean Couturier, Ryan Ellis and Cam Atkinson, John Tortorella’s side have won just three of their last 12 games.

This is the second meeting between the two teams this season. On November 19, the Canadiens won a dramatic shootout victory at the Bell Center.

It’s Jake Allen being sent in front of the net.