Canadiens koki pahan takaiskun, sillä Chris Higgins on näillä näkymin pois kokoonpanosta 6 viikkoa nilkkavamman takia. Ensi yönä Koivu ja Ryder saavat ketjuunsa G.Latendressen, joka ainakin harjoituspeleissä onnistui hyvin 1.ketjussa, mutta nyt ovat tosipelit kyseessä.
Gazette:
The beneficiary of Higgins's misfortune is rookie Guillaume Latendresse, who will start on the No. 1 line with Saku Koivu and Michael Ryder. But Carbonneau said yesterday he has a Plan B up his sleeve if Latendresse doesn't work out.
"We can't keep him hidden all year," said Carbonneau, who has used the 19-year-old on each of the other three lines. "We're giving him a chance to show what he can do.
"He played with those guys in the exhibition games and he was our best player. But, if things don't work out, we can use Steve Begin in that spot."
As it is, Begin will be taking Latendresse's spot on the third line with Radek Bonk and Mike Johnson, while Garth Murray gets sprung from the press box after a lengthy stay and replaces Begin on the fourth line with Aaron Downey and Tomas Plekanec.
Ryder noted that Latendresse and Higgins had different styles."He doesn't have Chris's speed or skills, but he's a more physical player," Ryder said. "We'll have to talk to him a lot and give him some help. I know he's been a bit frustrated, because he's come close (to scoring), but he's still looking for his first point. We'll help him get it."
"That's what all the guys I've played with this season have told me,"Latendresse said with a grin. "I just want to play a solid game and help out if I can. I didn't come in here with the idea of scoring every game, but it will be a relief to get my first point. Once I get that, the points should come easier."
