David Reinbacher will have an opportunity to play with Lane Hutson tonight and that very well may be a glimpse of the future for Montreal Canadiens fans.
On Saturday, David Reinbacher paired with Adam Engstrom, but Monday night in Trois-Rivières, when the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators battle in the Kraft Hockeyville game, the rookie will pair with standout defenseman Lane Hutson. With Kaiden Guhle injured, the former fifth overall pick has a door open, and this feels like a big audition.
Speaking to the media after practice, Martin St-Louis had this to say about the pairing that may well give us a glimpse of the future:
They’re going to play the game; he [Reinbacher] needs to make his reads and show what he’s got. His game shouldn’t change because he’s playing with Lane. You must make your own reads; you’ll have touches, you’ll have stuff; you just have to play the game.
While Reinbacher’s game shouldn’t change, skating with Hutson will give him plenty of ice time, and if he can put his best foot forward, he may just book his place in Montreal. There’s no denying that St-Louis would likely be happy to finally have some balanced pairings with three lefties and three righties; if Reinbacher is ready to make the jump, the Canadiens’ defense corps would get a huge boost.
With Chris Kreider staying in Montreal, Alex Newhook will be given a shot on the top line alongside Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. Newhook’s speed could be something that line doesn’t normally have, and it will be interesting to see if the line can hit it off quickly. As for the second line, it will remain the same, with Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov being centred by Oliver Kapanen. Alexandre Texier, Kirby Dach and Zachary Bolduc will remain together, just like they were in Toronto, while Florian Xhekaj will get an opportunity to show St-Louis what he’s got, centring Brett Berard and Sasha Pastujov.
On the blueline, Adam Engstrom will skate alongside Noah Dobson, and Jayden Struble will once again be paired with Arber Xhekaj. That third pairing will be keeping a close eye on the kids who are effectively trying to “steal their chair,” so to speak.
In net, Samuel Montembeault will start, and Jakub Dobes will play the second half. Buckle up, Habs fans; the team’s present and future will come together tonight.
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