Kotkaniemi sits against LA, Weal to make his Habs debut

EL SEGUNDO - Rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi has been outstanding so far this season, but he won't be in uniform on Tuesday night.

Head coach Clade Julien is making the 18-year-old Finn a healthy scratch for the tilt against the Kings, giving Kotkaniemi a well-deserved break after suiting up for 66 consecutive games during the 2018-19 campaign.
The rationale behind the veteran bench boss' decision is rather simple, and it certainly isn't a knock against a player who has done nothing but impress since being drafted third overall in June.
In Julien's mind, a move like this one is all about rest and recovery.
"He has played a lot of hockey since the start of the season between pre-season games and Rookie Camp. Over the last few weeks, we find that he slowed down a bit. We're going to give him a chance to recover. It's something that's entirely normal for a youngster who is just 18 years old," explained Julien. "He has played more hockey than almost all of the guys on the ice since the start of the season. It isn't a decision that's based on something negative. We made it to help him finish the season strong."

Julien went on to mention that the rigors of NHL life are far more demanding than anything Kotkaniemi might have experienced in the past back home, and the adjustment process can often prove taxing.
He believes that the highly-skilled pivot, who boasts 11 goals and 32 points on the year, will only benefit from time spent watching from a distance.
"There have been a lot of new things for him to adapt to this year. Playing in the best League in the world demands a lot. Second of all, the travel that is involved. He looks like he's a little bit tired and hit a bit of a wall. We're sitting him out is to give him an opportunity to regain his momentum and give us a good, solid finish. The reason for him sitting out isn't a negative one. It's the other way around. It's to get some positive performance from him moving forward and giving him a little rest and an opportunity to step back."
According to Julien, Kotkaniemi took the news of being scratched in the City of Angels in stride.
"He understands. He knows," said Julien. "If he's disappointed, I'm happy, because everyone wants to play. He's smart enough to realize that 'Yeah, I have played a lot of hockey and this is a lot for me.' It's new, it's different, it's harder. It's all the things that come with it. He's going to take it the right way, and the best way to show that is to come back and play well when he comes back to the lineup."
With Kotkaniemi taking in the game at STAPLES Center from the press box, newcomer Jordan Weal will make his Canadiens debut and center a line with Jonathan Drouin and Joel Armia.
Weal was acquired in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes on February 25.
"It'll be good. I'm excited to get out there with the guys and get skating again and get working. It feels like it's been a long time coming even though it's just been about a week," said Weal, who has four goals and 11 points in 47 games between Arizona and Philadelphia this season. "It's a big two points here for us on the board. I'm excited to get out there and battle with the guys."

Julien believes Weal brings plenty to the table that can help his group.
"He has good skills. He's a center that is right-handed, which is something we don't have. He's a good skater. We're going to give him a chance to prove himself. He's competitive and we hope he'll give us the boost we need on the third line right now," said Julien. "This is a guy that not too many people know about. When you watch him in practice, the way he moves the puck and in terms of his decision-making, he certainly is a guy that can play on the power play."
Carey Price, meanwhile, will be between the pipes against the Kings after missing Monday's practice session with the flu.
A victory over Los Angeles would enable the seven-time NHL All-Star to tie Hall-of-Famer Jacques Plante for top spot on the Canadiens' all-time wins list among goaltenders.