Washington Capitals forward Max Pacioretty is making his third career return trip to the Bell Centre in Montreal after he departed the Canadiens six seasons ago for the Vegas Golden Knights. Pacioretty, who played a decade in Montreal and eventually became the team’s captain, signed a one-year, incentive-laden deal with the Capitals this past offseason.
After scoring his first goal of the season in his fourth game with the Capitals, Pacioretty has gone without a goal in 13 straight games. Head coach Spencer Carbery was asked pregame Saturday about what the Capitals expected when they signed the veteran coming off of two Achilles tendon surgeries.
“Injuries have come into play over the last couple of years but even in Carolina he was a productive player and showed that he could produce offensively,” Carbery said. That’s what we were looking for when we signed him. Has it necessarily shown up? I think that’s a product of a bunch of things, not just Max. But, that’s what we’re looking for.
“Give us some production – we’ll see if we can get that kick-started tonight. It’s a great opportunity for him in a place that he’s very familiar with. I know he’s going to have a ton of energy and want to put his best foot forward tonight. Good chance for him to do that.”
Carbery has Pacioretty slated to skate on a brand-new line with Mike Sgarbossa as his center and the returning Sonny Milano on the other wing. Pacioretty has eight points (1g, 7a) in 17 games and only has one assist in five February games.
The rookie bench boss is hopeful that the new mix on the team’s third line will be complementary and productive.
“I’ve liked Sgarbossa’s games while he’s been here,” Carbery said Friday. “He gives us some speed down the middle and he can make a few plays. I feel like that, combined with potentially Sonny’s got a little bit of speed to his game: he can make a play, he can get out of pressure, and then Patch being more of our shooter but a guy that’s heavy on pucks. We’ll see what we’ve got there.”
In his career, Pacioretty has two points (1g, 1a) in four games against the Canadiens. His last road game in Montreal came with the Golden Knights in 2020 and he scored his lone career goal against his former club.
Another former Habs player will be making his very first return to his once-home rink on Saturday. Defenseman Joel Edmundson, who the Capitals sent draft picks to Montreal in a trade for this past summer, will skate on the Capitals’ third defense pairing.
Carbery was also asked about Edmundson’s fit in DC through 36 games.
“I think he’s as advertised,” Carbery said. “Just a real physical, strong [player]. He’s just such a presence with his size. Not a real boisterous, loud person but he is just a very stable, calm. He’s done a good job for us. He defends real well, he protects the net front. I think that’s how he’s had such an impressive career, Stanley Cup champion. That’s what he’s brought to our team as well.”
Edmundson has three points (1g, 2a) for the Capitals this season. Puck drop against the Habs is at 7 pm.
