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GLENDALE — Nick Cousins felt at home when he walked into the Gila River Arena Tuesday morning.

“It was special just walking in and seeing the trainers and one of the PR guys and all the familiar faces,” said Cousins, who spent two seasons with the Coyotes before signing as a free agent with the Canadiens in July. “There are a lot of good people in this organization that I got to be close with and I still talk to today.”

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Those friendships will be put aside Wednesday when the Canadiens face the Coyotes in the opening of a three-game road trip (10 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN-690 Radio).

After starting the season as a healthy scratch and then dealing with a back injury, Cousins has earned a spot on what is becoming a productive fourth line with Nate Thompson at centre and talented rookie Nick Suzuki on right wing. Cousins has a goal and three assists in five games,

“We’re a pretty effective line so far,” Cousins said. “(Thompson) takes care of the faceoffs and he’s always in the right position in our zone and Zukes is coming in with a lot of energy as a young guy who enjoys coming to the rink every day and playing hockey for a living. Then I just try to make plays and create some energy on the forecheck. Right now, we’re capitalizing on our chances.”