The Montreal Canadiens this week have made an announcement; they now not wish to be the NHL’s doormat. They’ve performed a few of their greatest hockey prior to now week, and appear to have discovered an id they’ll compete with.
Associated: Canadiens Must Steadiness Measurement and Talent to Efficiently Rebuild
They’ve given their followers a Christmas miracle and put collectively their first three-game win streak this season. The final time it occurred was in March of the 2023-24 season. Whereas the opposition in these three video games aren’t contenders, it does set the stage for Montreal, who are actually solely seven factors again of a playoff place, in that it gives them with a highway map to how they are often within the combine.
Canadiens Discover Some Offence
This final week has seen the Canadiens play a extra entertaining, and efficient, model of hockey. It appears followers are lastly witnessing the group head coach Martin St. Louis wished to ice this season. A totally wholesome lineup has allowed him to place gamers into roles they higher match and may succeed at. Living proof, Juraj Slafkovsky has regarded like the primary total choice taking part in on Nick Suzuki’s wing.
The younger Slovak has scored two targets (and three factors) within the three video games on the highest line. He performs with extra conviction, and extra physicality and his talent set appears to mesh virtually completely on this line as all three play a extremely expert type of two-way hockey. Having gamers positioned in additional appropriate roles has helped to enhance their total offence to a good 3.11 targets for per sport (GF/GP), good for 14th total within the NHL.
The facility play (PP) is now wanting like a deadly weapon, because of Patrik Laine who has scored eight PP targets in 9 video games performed. Whereas he doesn’t have an even-strength aim but, simply including him to the lineup has made this group a way more harmful group to play in opposition to. Earlier than Laine’s arrival, the Canadiens’ PP was sitting fifteenth within the NHL, clicking at 20.8%, within the 9 video games with the Finnish sniper, Montreal has a PP scoring at a 26.7% fee. A full 6% larger is an enormous enchancment, and the one distinction is the addition of Laine.
PETIT PATTY NOËL! #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/uHWZbKLQve
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 22, 2024
The combination now has them sitting at a really respectable twelfth total at 22.5%. Having a extra deadly PP helps in some ways, and never simply targets scored. The very fact it may well rating at higher than a one-in-four fee means groups shall be very cautious of taking penalties in opposition to the Canadiens. That truth can buy somewhat extra time and area for them to maneuver, which may solely assist their five-on-five play.
Canadiens’ Defence Wakes Up
Alexandre Provider’s arrival was higher than anticipated. His first sport with Montreal produced some very encouraging stats. The Canadiens managed puck possession for almost all of his time on the ice.
It is just one sport, however Provider (17:55) had an unbelievable game64percentCF81% xGFpercent0 HDCAIf this stage of regular defensive play is the norm, his addition can have been greater than what anybody might have hoped for@habsunfiltered.bsky.social #GoHabsGo
— Blain Potvin (@blainpotvin.bsky.social) 2024-12-21T02:43:24.283Z
Provider was introduced in as insurance coverage for any potential David Savard commerce on the deadline. It made sense contemplating that they have been looking out for a veteran right-handed defender who might assist stabilize their blue line for a while. An necessary facet of the commerce was that Provider was nonetheless underneath contract for 2 extra seasons previous this present one incomes a cap hit of $3.75 million, which is barely $250,000 greater than Savard. The arrival of Provider to the group helps to shelter a few of the youth, however it additionally buys administration time as they received’t be in any hurry to deal Savard until their commerce worth is met.
The deal strikes gamers again into their correct slots. Montreal was taking part in nights with just one right-handed defender, which didn’t assist, particularly as they’ve one of many youngest blue strains within the NHL. Enjoying your reverse facet isn’t a recipe for fulfillment, particularly as you’re creating. Including Provider to the combo helps ease the stress for gamers like Kaiden Ghule, who he’s paired with.
Previous to the Canadiens having a completely wholesome lineup, the group’s defence struggled. It was dangerous, as in thirty second within the NHL, permitting 3.83 targets in opposition to per sport performed (GA/GP) and thirtieth total in targets allowed. Since they’ve been absolutely wholesome, Montreal has dramatically improved their defensive output to 2.78 GA/GP and is twelfth within the NHL for targets allowed.
The penalty kill (PK) has additionally seen enchancment. In the primary 24 video games of the season, they have been capable of kill 81.9% of their penalties, which remains to be very respectable. Nonetheless, as soon as everybody was positioned into their correct roles, the PK improved to 83.3%. With the addition of a stable PK participant in Provider, the expectation is for that particular group to enhance once more.
Canadiens’ Resilience
How shortly the gamers and coaches responded after the 9-2 blowout loss in opposition to the Pittsburgh Penguins, on house ice, speaks volumes about this group’s tenacity. After that loss, they put collectively their first three-game win streak, and all three wins have been a few of their greatest group performances. However allow us to hold some perspective, these three wins have been in opposition to the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Pink Wings, who are actually each behind Montreal within the standings.
This resilience is seen largely as a result of group taking part in wholesome for the primary time in years. Within the offseason, when administration stated they wished to be within the combine, sure assumptions have been made in deciding that this season could be one the place they might climb up the standings and play related video games into March. The primary was having a wholesome Laine, and even with out being at 100%, he’s a distinction maker. One other was that the suitable facet of the blue line could be stabilized with one among their younger prospects corresponding to Logan Mailloux. Whereas that didn’t occur, the addition of Provider seems to be the answer to that concern, whereas additionally shopping for these prospects extra time to develop.
Sure, that is the brand new commonplace, however it was set whereas on house ice, for probably the most half. The true take a look at shall be if they’ll replicate these ranges of effort on the highway. Whereas the membership is again to well being, it nonetheless lacks the depth essential to be a playoff group, even when they hover near the ultimate place. It isn’t all sunshine and roses as Cayden Primeau has not been capable of play effectively constantly, putting extra stress on Samuel Montembeault.
The Canadiens are within the third 12 months of their rebuild and appear to really feel they’ve the suitable veterans in place. With a completely wholesome lineup, nobody can argue that this season’s version of the Canadiens are improved from final season. With out the suitable veterans in place, you get what you see in Buffalo, the place the Sabres are spiralling down the drain as soon as once more and all however guaranteeing themselves a 14th straight playoff miss. The Habs aren’t more likely to make a miracle run and make the playoffs this season, however the enhancements seen individually and as a group, thanks partially to raised roster development, pave the way in which for the subsequent stage.
