On Saturday the Habs provided an update on the absence of Dominique Ducharme, the team's leader behind the bench, who was knocked out of the Canadiens Stanley Cup Playoff Semifinal series against the Las Vegas Golden Knights when he tested positive for Covid-19. Ducharme, who has repeatedly stated that he hardly ever left his room except to eat his meals in the designated areas, somehow contracted the virus in spite of living under the National Hockey League's strict Covid Protocols and despite having been double vaccinated against the virus.
According to the Canadiens, Ducharme is expected to return in the Stanley Cup Final, specifically for Game 3 of the series. This is certainly major news for the Canadiens, who have been without their head coach for the last several games, but I'm curious how it will affect the team dynamic following Luke Richardson's ice-cold leadership.
Richardson has performed brilliantly behind the Canadiens bench, despite being forced into what many would consider an untenable situation during Game 3 against the Golden Knights. Richardson has not only maintained his cool, calm, and collected approach since being promoted to head coach, but he has also shown an ability to instil that demeanour in his players. It's difficult to argue with Richardson's performance since taking over for Ducharme behind the bench, and I'm curious how that dynamic will play out when Ducharme returns to the Canadiens bench.
