When Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis was asked about the injuries before Tuesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, he focused on the opportunities it would provide to others to grab a chair.
Jesse Ylönen, who has been with the team for about a week, started the game next to Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, and played close to 12 minutes at even strength with them. Injuries are not only offering Ylönen a chance, but veterans are being pushed. Internal competition is strong in Montreal right now. There’s a lot of ice time up for grabs, and Ylönen has pushed for more and earned it.