It remains to be seen who will indeed replace Byron - and possibly Tatar - in the lineup, but the Habs will have to keep their guard up as they get set to face a physical Anaheim Ducks team that is hungry for revenge after allowing 15 goals in their last two games. Their position in the standings, where they currently hold down the third spot in the Atlantic Division, depends on it.
"We have to focus on ourselves. We just have to do our job. We deserved two points against New Jersey and we got them against Edmonton," explained Charles Hudon, who registered 10 hits over the weekend against the Devils and Oilers. "We just have to continue doing what we've been doing since the start. Typically, after Christmas is when the men are separated from the boys. We have to make sure we stay high in the standings."
The Ducks, who average 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds to the Habs' 6-foot, 196 pounds, are known for their rough-and-tumble style of play, but the Habs have a potent weapon they'll have to use to counteract Anaheim's aggressive brand of hockey.
"Our speed has been our biggest asset all season long. We have to use it no matter which team we're playing," added Hudon. "We know the Ducks have some big bodies, but we just have to focus on our own game."
Another one of their (not-so-secret) weapons is goaltender Carey Price. Among goalies who have played at least eight games in 2019, the Habs netminder's .946 save percentage ranks first in the NHL, and his 1.68 goals-against average is tied for second.
Talk about a confidence booster for the guys in front of him.
"It's huge. Anytime you can build confidence like that, I think it translates like wildfire in your locker room. We know what it does for us," praised Max Domi. "We just have to play hard in front of him. If we do that, we're going to have a chance to win every game."
