TORONTO - The Canadiens skated at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday morning ahead of their matchup with the Maple Leafs.
Following the on-ice session, defenseman Joel Edmundson, forward Nick Suzuki and head coach Claude Julien spoke with reporters via Zoom.
Here are a few highlights from their respective chats:
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Edmundson was asked why the Canadiens' transition game has struggled lately:
I think just as a group we haven't been playing our game the past few games. When you start off the season like we did, we're at the top of the standings, and we still are, but every team wants to beat you. You don't want to get comfortable when you're up at the top. We haven't liked the way we've played the past couple of games, but we've got a big game tonight against the team that's on top of the division right now, and after this game we have a week off and we face them again. These are four big points, but we're just looking at tonight right now.
The veteran blueliner also discussed ways in which the Habs' forwards can generate more offense:
To make a defenseman's life tough, just get pucks deep and work it down low. It sounds cliché, but it really works. It wears down the defensemen, so just more puck time in the offensive zone. I think the past couple of games we've been more of a one-and-done type team, but just work down low, protect the puck with our bodies and get those greasy goals. Lots of goals in this League are scored within 10 feet of the net, so just get those greasy goals and get to the inside.
Video: Edmundson on the four points at stake in Toronto
For his part, Suzuki stressed the importance of coming away with two points tonight, especially with teams steadily creeping up behind them in the North Division standings:
We're a pretty good chunk into the season and there's not that many games left. With a shortened season, every point counts. We have to get back on our winning ways, so we're going to try to do that tonight.
Likewise, the 21-year-old pivot revealed that he has been doing his part to help Phillip Danault through his offensive struggles so far this season:
I think as a centerman we all want to see each other do well. We're all there for each other. We've definitely been talking. I know he hasn't been that happy with his game, but he's been doing other things that are going to help the team win. He's been playing against other teams' top centers and top lines for basically all year. Even though he doesn't have a goal, he's helping the team win in other ways.
Video: Suzuki on what Danault brings to the team
For his part, Julien talked about spreading the ice time around up front:
When we distribute playing time between the lines, it's because the guys deserve it. We definitely want to keep our players fresh. I think that works to our advantage when everyone's playing well. It's not just a question of giving everyone playing time. You earn your ice time. There's a structure behind it. You can't really overthink this.
Video: Claude Julien on Saturday's line changes in Toronto
Like his players, the Canadiens' bench boss emphasized the need to snap their losing skid before the upcoming break:
It's important to get back to the playing style that led to our success at the start of the season. We're aware that the teams behind us are starting to catch up in the standings. We had a good start, but things have been tougher recently. We have to get back on the winning track to continue to climb in the standings.
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