Updates from morning skate - April 11

BROSSARD - The Canadiens held a morning skate at the Bell Sports Complex in preparation for their matchup with the Winnipeg Jets on Monday.

TICKETS: Jets @ Canadiens
Most players took part in the skate, including Paul Byron, who didn't make last week's trip to New Jersey and Toronto, and Ryan Poehling, who did not play on Saturday against the Maple Leafs but will face Winnipeg. Nick Suzuki took a therapy day in lieu of morning skate. Justin Barron, who like Byron stayed home during last week's road trip, was also absent.
Following the skate, interim head coach Martin St-Louis confirmed that Sam Montembeault would start in goal against the Jets. Montembeault relieved Jake Allen between the pipes on Saturday against Toronto after the latter left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return.

Forwards Christian Dvorak and Jesse Ylonen also spoke to the media on Monday morning, with Dvorak sharing his impressions on experiencing Montreal now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased.
"It's nice to go out to eat, finally. It seems like restaurants were closed for a while and there were a bunch of restrictions and stuff like that. So, it's been nice to walk around and enjoy the city a little bit," described Dvorak, who had only played three games in Montreal as a visitor prior to joining the Canadiens this season. "The weather's turning, so it's nice to get out and enjoy the city a lot more as we've gotten less restrictive."

Dvorak has 24 points (10G, 14A) on the season, but admitted that joining a new team after getting traded - his acquisition by Montreal was the first time he changed NHL teams - takes some getting used to.
"It's definitely different. A lot of players in this League have gone through it. I think the start of the year wasn't the best start for everyone - including myself, obviously. It's nice to stay in lineup and stay healthy," affirmed Dvorak, who collected four points (1G, 3A) on the two-game road trip. "I just kind of want to get a rhythm going and try to finish this the right way."

The 26-year-old center shared his appreciation for St-Louis' approach with his players, noting how the coach makes a point of being honest and straightforward in his feedback. And the message St-Louis has been sending to Dvorak is to not be afraid of tapping into his scoring touch some more.
"I think he's been looked at as a defensive player, but I think there's offense in there that's still a little bit on tap that I want him to feel free to play. But D-Vo is low maintenance. He's not a guy I need to touch every day and talk to. He's very low maintenance and he's a pro," praised St-Louis of the veteran of 348 NHL games. "Because he's low maintenance, I still have to make sure that I that I communicate with him a little bit and I've tried to do that and give him that confidence and freedom that he can bring some offense to this team and he's shown that."

For his part, Ylonen wants to make contributions at both ends of the ice but believes that it all starts with strong play away from the puck.
"I'm really focusing on trying to not get scored on when I'm on the ice and really focusing on the details of the defensive game. And usually when you do those things right, then slowly you get more time in the offensive zone," outlined Ylonen, who has five points (2G, 3A) in 14 career NHL games. "Of course I want to be a good offensive player, but most importantly, a good defensive player.
"I want to be like the kind of player that coach wants to put on the ice when the team is leading or down by few goals. I want to be the kind of player who coaches can trust. I need to earn it, obviously."

Notes
With Allen sidelined once again, St-Louis was asked if he'd had any further discussions with Carey Price regarding his return to action, but the coach said he was leaving matters fully in the hands of the All-World netminder.
"I'm not talking to him about that. Carey has been in the League a long time," explained St-Louis of Price, who was on the ice in Brossard with his teammates again on Monday. "He's proven, he has a resume. You trust those guys. If Carey tells me, 'Martin, I'm ready,' then he's going to play."
Monday's game gets underway at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Bell Centre. For tickets,
click here
.