Andrei Markov will not make an early return to the Montreal Canadiens’ line-up
After saying that he might be able to make an early return to the Montreal Canadiens’ lineup, it seems that defenceman Andrei Markov is still a few weeks away from returning to action.
“I obviously want to be able to help the team when I come back, and so I won’t until I’m 100 percent ready,” Markov said after a recent practice with the team.
“It’s not fun to stay out. I have a tough time if I ever have to miss a few games, but I’ve been out for a few months now, and I just want to play some games. I have to challenge myself
everyday to make this work and bring myself back before the end of October, but right now I know I’m not going to be ready for Thursday’s game against the Devils.”
The Habs’ power play has struggled greatly without Markov to quarterback it. In their first five games this season, the Canadiens have gone a disappointing 1-for-17 with the extra man.
With Markov in the line-up, the team had one of the highest-ranked power plays in the National Hockey League.
Markov has not played since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament during last season’s playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in May. However, in recent weeks, he has been
practicing with the Habs at their practice facility in Brossard, Quebec.
Fellow defenceman Jaroslav Spacek has been filling in for Markov on the power play during his absence, but he has not been producing the desired results. Canadiens head coach Jacques Martin
said that he will make changes to the team’s power play units before the team’s next game.
Despite the lack of success with their power play, the Habs have become adept at penalty killing. Since the 2010-11 season began, their penalty kill has been near the top of the league’s
rankings.
The Canadiens will face the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Thursday, 21 October.
Tags: