The team announced that defenseman Michael Matheson has stayed at home. Slowed down by a “lower body injury”, he will be absent “indefinitely”. Bad luck increases for those who have only played 10 of the 31 CH matches so far. A stomach injury sustained in training camp robbed him of the first 17 games. A second, unknown injury caused him to miss four more duels. His return last Saturday only lasted one game.

In his absence, the Habs only have six healthy defenders. These will logically all play against the Coyotes in uniform this Monday evening in Arizona.

Center Sean Monahan hasn’t followed the team down the street either, meaning only one forward is left out. It was Michael Pezzetta who was unlucky chosen, meaning Anthony Richard, freshly recalled from the Laval Rocket, will be there.

It will be his third game in the NHL, but his first in the blue, white and red jersey. He hasn’t played at this level in three years.

The Quebecer will complete the fourth line to the left of Jake Evans and Joel Armia. This chance offered to him rewards his hitherto strong offensive campaign with the Rocket, where he is the top scorer with 31 points in 27 games.

Calm and clearly in command of his abilities, Richard confessed that he had been expecting a call back for a while, although he tried not to agonize over the wait. At 25, he knew from his experience “that it was a matter of time,” he said.

He admitted to feeling feverish — “it’s normal, the NHL is a childhood dream, you want to do well” — but not too nervous. His previous exposure to the NHL helps mitigate the novelty effect.

The one whose main advantage is speed says he’s ready to play both an offensive and defensive role depending on what’s asked of him. “My style can adapt,” he said.

“I can play in traffic, hit the puck hard and turn corners,” he said. If I get the chance to prove myself offensively, I have the opportunity to do so. As proof, at Laval he scored 18 goals in just 27 games, surpassing his 17 goals in 71 games last season.

After the morning’s practice, defenseman Jordan Harris spoke about the “energy” Richard carried within him. “We’ll all have his back tonight,” he promised.

“A little confidence and an offensive touch won’t hurt us,” said Jake Evans.

Head coach Martin St-Louis didn’t talk long about his new player, stressing that he “brings speed” and that, given his successes in the American League, he “deserves to be remembered”.

However, St-Louis assured that Richard would have a chance to “force the coaches’ hand”.

“It’s up to him to take the ball and not give it back,” he said. I’m sure he packed. I can’t wait to see what he can bring us. »

Samuel Montembeault will defend the Canadians’ net for this game, which starts at 10:00 p.m. Quebec time.