Speedy Habs firmly in hunt for playoffs
Habs emerging as playoff contenders at one-quarter mark of NHL season
The hope for many Canadiens fans going into this season was for another dismal finish to improve the team’s odds in the Jack Hughes draft sweepstakes next June. There was little reason for optimism. Goalie Carey Price was coming off the worst season of his career as he embarked on an eight-year contract with an annual cap hit of US$10.5 million. Shea Weber, the team’s star defenceman, was out until December following surgery on his foot and his knee. The Canadiens finished 29th in the NHL in scoring last season, but general manager Marc Bergevin gave away size and scoring when he traded 30-goal scorers Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk for Tomas Tatar and Max Domi, respectively. The Canadiens had the third pick in the NHL Entry Draft, but what were they thinking when they passed on several can’tmiss prospects to select Jesperi Kotkaniemi, a rail-thin Finnish teen? Everyone agreed he would be a fine player some day, but he was expected to spend at least one more season developing in Finland. But, after the first quarter of the season, the Canadiens have emerged as one of the surprise teams in the NHL. After 21 games, the Canadiens are sitting in a playoff spot. More importantly, the team has delighted its fan base by playing exciting hockey. After years of watching a stultifying team that relied on Price to be the last line of defence, the Canadiens are relying on speed to provide offence. The offence ranks No. 13 in the NHL (3.24 goals per game) and the team, which folded down the stretch a year ago, has produced a several impressive come-from-behind wins. Here’s a look at how the Canadiens stack up in key areas:
OFFENCE
Bergevin and head coach Claude Julien have identified speed as the key to success in today’s NHL and newcomers Domi, Tatar and Kotkaniemi have allowed the Canadiens to play a fast-paced game that has put the pressure on opposing defences. Domi leads the Canadiens in scoring — 10 goals and 25 points in 21 games — and has surpassed his goal total in each of the past two seasons in Arizona. One of his biggest contributions has been to spark Jonathan Drouin, whose production took off after he joined Domi on what has become the No. 1 line. Tatar was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights at the deadline last season and had trouble finding a place in an established lineup. But he’s been a perfect fit on a line with the tenacious Brendan Gallagher and reliable centre Phil Danault. The most pleasant surprise has been Kotkaniemi. He looked lost during a rookie tournament in September, but he has improved every game. In Monday’s 5-4 OT loss to Washington, he was promoted to the first unit on the power play and set up Jeff Petry for a goal by battling for a loose pick in the crease. He’s No. 2 among NHL rookie scorers (12 points). There are those who will argue the Canadiens haven’t filled their long-standing void at centre, and while faceoffs are still a concern, Domi, Danault and Kotkaniemi are getting the job done. With Nick Suzuki and Ryan Poehling in the pipeline, the future looks bright. The Canadiens could use some offence from the fourth line, but that situation should sort itself out when Paul Byron and Joel Armia return from injuries.
DEFENCE
This was once the Canadiens’ strong point, but this squad has given up 3.33 goals a game and ranks No. 26 in the NHL. Weber’s absence means the other defenceman are being asked to play greater roles, in terms of minutes and responsibilities. Jeff Petry is averaging 25 minutes a game — he was on the ice for 33:51 in Monday’s loss to Washington — and he’ll get a much-needed respite when Weber returns and he settles in on the second pairing. Mike Reilly, Noah Juulsen and Victor Mete are works in progress. The big problem on defence is what to do with Karl Alzner, whose skill set doesn’t fit the uptempo style employed by the Canadiens. He’s in the second year of a five-year, US$23.125-million deal, which makes it difficult to trade him.
GOALTENDING
Price’s numbers — a 3.05 goalsagainst average and a .900 save percentage — are only slightly better than last season, but the increased offence has taken some of the pressure off him and his play during the past week suggests that he’s turned the corner. Price said his problems were in his head and the team’s psychologist went on the Western Canada trip to work with him. The backup role is in good hands with Antti Niemi.
SPECIAL TEAMS
It’s difficult to figure out what’s happening here. The Canadiens lead the league in five-on-five goals (52), but they rank 28th on the power play (14.1 per cent). Their zone entries have been erratic, but the addition of Kotkaniemi to the first unit will help in this regard, and Weber’s return will add a cannon-like shot from the point. And while the five-on-five defence is sketchy, the Montreal penalty kill has improved and is tied for 16th (80 per cent). Again, that’s an area where Weber’s return will help.