Kirby Dach’s return to the ice has put Martin St-Louis in a familiar kind of bind: too many forwards, not enough spots.
Dach skated this morning after missing practice yesterday with an illness, and according to TVA Sports, the 25-year-old center looked to be on the mend. He was out there for the morning skate, which appeared to be optional, but that doesn’t automatically mean he’ll suit up tonight. He’s still listed as day-to-day.
Even so, just having Dach back in the mix changes the picture for the Canadiens against the Jets. The forward group suddenly looks crowded, and a lineup decision is looming.
That’s where Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj come in. Beck had started to carve out a real opening for himself, posting two assists in four games this season. Xhekaj has also made his case on the left side, with one goal in six games and a style of play that has clearly earned him more looks.
Dach, for his part, still hasn’t found his scoring touch. Through 13 games, he has yet to score and has three assists. But the Canadiens still want the 6-foot-4 center in the lineup, and his return could squeeze out one of the younger forwards who have taken advantage of their chances.
The timing makes the call even tougher. Montreal has won five straight, including Saturday’s 5-4 victory over the Penguins, and is 8-1-1 in its last 10 games. When a team is rolling like this, coaches don’t mess with the formula lightly.
That leaves St-Louis with a good problem to solve. The Canadiens are fifth in the NHL standings, and now he has to decide which forward gets the short end of the stick before puck drop.
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The uncertainty leaves the club in a familiar holding pattern: playing well, staying patient, and waiting for Demidov to work his way back into the picture. His earliest projected return is now set for Nov. 7, but for now the Canadiens are pressing on without one of their most closely watched players, and the lack of fresh information only adds to the intrigue around his recovery. [Read more 🡒]