Jayden Struble’s check and fight: the turning point in the match

Last night, the Canadiens bought themselves a Christmas present by winning their last game before the holiday break.

Martin St-Louis’ team won 5-2 against the miserable Chicago Blackhawks.

I say miserable, because on paper and in the standings, the Hawks are probably the worst team in the National Hockey League.

The Blackhawks could have been an easy prey for the Habs, and therefore an easy gift to themselves before Christmas, but that wasn’t the case, even if the final score might say otherwise.

Indeed, the Habs trailed 2-0 in this game, and until midway through the second period, the Tricolore still didn’t seem to have got going that much.

Despite closing the gap with Mitchell Stephens’ first with the Habs, the team seemed to lack energy in this second game in two nights.

Yet, the Habs managed to wake up and go for the W.

So, what happened?

What was the turning point of the game?

Well, the turning point was Jayden Struble’s big check on Reese Johnson, followed by his fight with MacKenzie Entwistle.

Struble told me last year when I informed him that he’d be challenged in pro because of his physical play that: “I can handle myself.” He wasn’t exaggerating. pic.twitter.com/WOz4bGIbhbb

– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) December 23, 2023

Indeed, this sequence involving Jayden Struble re-energized the Habs, who tied the score moments later, before taking the lead through Juraj Slafkovsky.

The 22-year-old defenseman was not afraid to drop the gloves after delivering an excellent check.

Struble is extremely solid on his skates, which makes his physical, robust play virtually impeccable.

From game to game, we discover more and more about the Habs’ number 47, and we like him more and more.

He’s a real beast.

This kid is simply a beast. https://t.co/VCl3zgkLq6

– Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) December 23, 2023

At the start of the season, no one would have thought that Struble would play in the NHL and, above all, that he would make his mark so quickly and even so easily.

Since his recall to the Tricolore, Struble has been playing very simple hockey, which allows him to look good in any situation.

It’s nothing sparkling, but managing to turn the tide in a game at just 22 years of age and 14 games of NHL experience (before last night) is pretty impressive.

In 14:06 of ice time, Struble earned two checks, two blocked shots and a shot on goal.

Nothing incredible, just efficient hockey.

In short, seeing Struble go like that really makes you wonder when we’ll see Arber Xhekaj in Montreal again, even if he’s doing well in Laval at the moment.

Struble doesn’t deserve to lose his place, and he’s in Montreal to stay until proven otherwise.

The Greek god is really establishing himself as a solid depth defenseman in the NHL.