TBL@MTL: Another big test

BROSSARD - There are two former members of the Tampa Bay Lightning now playing for the Canadiens, and Matthew Peca had no issue with the fact that Jonathan Drouin led the team stretch to wrap up morning skate on Saturday at the Bell Sports Complex.

"No, I did it yesterday, no big deal," he said with a smile.
The 25-year-old inked a two-year deal with the Canadiens on July 1 after suiting up for 20 games for Tampa Bay from 2016-2018, and admitted there would be a bit more to Saturday's game when he takes on the team that drafted him 200th overall back in 2011.
"Every game is big, but when you face your former team, it's a little bit of motivation to play well, play hard," said Peca, who registered seven points (3G, 4A) and a plus-3 differential over two seasons in the Sunshine State. "I haven't put a lot of thought into it, so I'm not going to change anything. I'm just going to go out there and play, play my game like I usually do, and [look to] everyone else to do the same."

Head coach Claude Julien has liked what Peca has brought to the table in his first year with the Canadiens, pointing out that the center's speed is an asset.
"It's more or less his first season as a regular in the NHL. He's a guy who skates well. I think he can still improve to another level. I think those are things that he'll accomplish with experience," Julien described of Peca, who has played a career-high 11 games already this season, recording three assists while averaging 10:19 of ice time. "I like his skating, I like that he brings that element to the fourth line."
After defeating the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in dramatic fashion last game, the Habs will be facing another big test when they take on Drouin and Peca's former club on Saturday.
"I thought it was last game, as well. Washington is extremely good offensively. I think Tampa is probably a little bit more aggressive on the offensive side of the puck. They're not afraid to take chances at time," outlined Julien. "To me, that means that if we can defend well, we'll have a chance to get some opportunities. But we have to play well defensively, because offensively, they're a potent hockey club."

Montreal's leading scorer, Max Domi, recognizes that the Lightning pose a serious threat, but he feels he and his teammates are more than ready for the challenge that awaits them.
"That's a team that we know as a whole is dangerous and they've got a lot of speed and a lot of firepower up front and a good, solid D corps and a great goaltender, too," said Domi, whose 12 points (6G, 6A) are tops on the Habs. "We're going to be ready to go and we had a good skate this morning and we're all feeling pretty good, so we'll take into tonight and come out strong in the first period. We're excited for tonight."

Notes
The Habs will once again have to do without the services of alternate captain Paul Byron, who missed the Caps game with a lower-body injury. Julien announced after the morning skate that Byron would not play against the Lightning, and would also not join the team for their two-game trip to New York.

Julien announced that there would be no changes to his lineup for Saturday's game, meaning that Carey Price will start and Karl Alzner will once again be a healthy scratch.

Elsewhere on the injury front, Tomas Plekanec skated with his teammates for the first time since playing in his 1,001st NHL game on October 17. He has been out with back issues, and while Julien said he'd be evaluated by doctors later in the day, there is no timeline set for his return just yet. David Schlemko and Shea Weber skated separately from their teammates prior to the morning skate.
Puck drop for the Lightning game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised on Sportsnet 360, City, and TVA Sports, and will also be available on the radio on TSN 690 and 98,5 fm. For tickets,
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