Atlantic Notes: Canadiens, Zub, Pinto

11/06/2024 09:04 PM

Many of the players on the Montreal Canadiens believe that they are in the learning-to-win stage of their rebuild and see a pair of recent losses as falling below expectations (as per Arpon Basu of The Athletic). Montreal lost to both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames in the past three days and could have won both of those games, particularly the Flames game (a game they led with less than three minutes left to play).

The Canadiens players have tried to look at the moral victories they can take from their two most recent losses, but given their expectations for this season, they can only see their recent stretch of play as falling below the standard they have set for themselves this season.

In other Atlantic Division notes:

• Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia is reporting that Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub could play tomorrow night when the team takes on the New York Islanders. Zub skated today as he tries to work his way back into the lineup after missing nine games. The 29-year-old suffered a concussion on October 14th against the Los Angeles Kings and has dressed in just three games this season. Ottawa badly needs Zub back on the ice, as his injury has thrust veteran Travis Hamonic into the top four, which isn't an ideal situation for a team with playoff aspirations.
• Senators center Shane Pinto could also suit up tomorrow night, according to Ottawa head coach Travis Green, who said that he is close (as per Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia). Pinto had skated on Monday before Ottawa made the trip to Buffalo and skated again today as he tries to work back from an undisclosed injury that has caused him to miss six games. Pinto's presence in the lineup gives the Senators bottom six a completely different dynamic, given that Pinto is probably good enough to play in the top six but is relegated to third-line center duties because of the team's depth down the middle.