MONT TREMBLANT | The atmosphere at this first of three training sessions with the Laurentians was good-natured. Still, Martin St-Louis wanted to ensure that progress continued.

• Also read: I skip school to watch the Canadiens players practice

” Yesterday [vendredi], we had a nice day, we had a good dinner. Today we are at work, and for good reason,” said the Canadian head coach.

Finally, we must not forget that fights still take place within the group since the famous chairs are not all distributed. St-Louis wants to have all the elements in hand when it comes time to make the final decisions. So he led a fast-paced workout that ended with a skating session that lasted a few minutes.

Leading slightly more intense practices with more targeted goals is a luxury St-Louis didn’t have last year in his first camp at the helm of the team. The shortened preparation schedule of eight meetings, interrupted by a stay in the Atlantic provinces, limited his options somewhat.

“For this reason we had to retain more players. If there are too many players, you can’t go into as much detail. “We have a smaller group there,” he said. We will also have a lot of days between games at the start of the season. It is easier to teach in such conditions. We make very good use of the time we have. »

Plus, if St. Louis had his way, he would repeat the experience.

“I would like to do that every year. »

He seems to be enjoying his stay more than he did when the Lightning, then led by Guy Boucher, stopped at the same spot after a preseason game against the Canadiens in the fall of 2011.

Boucher, entering his second season at the helm of the Florida team, ordered his players to do push-ups after every practice.

“Yes,” St-Louis replied simply when a colleague reminded him of the moment.

The identity of the fourth trio

Jake Evans

Photo Martin Chevalier / JdeM

For the Canadiens, we hope this less busy preseason schedule will have a positive impact on infirmary traffic and player energy levels once the season is well underway. Jake Evans is just one of those looking to get back on his feet.

“I want to be ready for the start of the season. Last year was difficult offensively, admitted the Toronto native, who only scored two goals in 54 games. You have to know how to take advantage of your opportunities. And it starts in training. If you do it there, it can be translated into matches. »

Due to the presence of some new faces and the fact that almost everyone is healthy, it is difficult to predict the identity of the two wingers who will accompany Evans in the fourth unit. Michael Pezzetta, Jesse Ylönen and Brendan Gallagher are plausible candidates.

“We often view the fourth line as an energetic and physical line that can change the momentum of a game. We certainly expect this, but it is the minimum. You have to want to achieve more than that. In short, I don’t want him to play like a fourth line. »

“Consistency is important,” Evans said. We may not do anything to impress, but being consistent will help the team win. »

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