by Josh Saunders, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
There are several reasons for yet another hot start for the Montreal Canadiens in October. The play of Carey Price has confirmed that he remains, in the eyes of the hockey community, the best goaltender in the world. Marc Bergevin‘s off-season acquisitions, Shea Weber, Alexander Radulov and Al Montoya, have all out-performed expectations. And the Canadiens have been getting balanced contributions on offence from each line.
But, in my opinion, there’s another key reason that hasn’t gotten much recognition. It is the clutch performance from the team’s revamped power-play. In the last four games, the Canadiens’ game-winning goals have all come on power-play goals in the third period. On Monday night, it was a Radulov blast careening in off Brendan Gallagher. Against the Islanders, the winner came via a patented Weber bomb. On Thursday, Alex Galchenyuk was the hero with the man advantage. Finally, against the Maple Leafs on Saturday night, it was another Weber blast that sent the Bell Centre fans home happy.
The Canadiens power-play numbers in 2016-’17 don’t exactly jump out at you. It is currently ranked 14th in the league, firing at a rate of 21.9 per cent (seven goals on 32 opportunities.) But that is much improved from last year when the Habs finished an abysmal 25th overall, a 16.2 per cent success rate with the man advantage.
The big man, Shea Weber, has certainly a major contributing factor to the improvement. P.K. Subban’s shot was certainly nothing to sneeze at but Weber’s shot is harder, more accurate and brings an intimidation factor. Opposition players and goalies alike seem reluctant on getting in front of a blast from the reigning hardest-shot champ.
Montreal has often been a team with a big shot on the point, fed by perfect passes from Andrei Markov. Here’s a list: Sheldon Souray, James Wisniewski, Mathieu Schneider, Mark Streit, Sergei Gonchar, and Subban. Each of them had the ability to fire the puck, yet Weber brings something that even the most long-standing Habs fans aren’t accustomed to seeing: the hardest shot in the world.
When opposition players are brave enough to get in the way of it, that leaves Montreal’s other talented players open with better looks at the net.
Jeff Petry has looked like a beast since his return from injury. Alex Galchenyuk, who really started using his one-timer to score last year, is starting to produce after a slow start. Radulov, the newest Habs offensive star, is making an impact whether he is playing forward or taking a point spot on the power-play. The captain, Max Pacioretty, is always a threat to score with that quick release. Combine this with the front-of-the-net jam provided by Gallagher and Andrew Shaw and it’s not hard to see why the Canadiens are having success.
Fans should also attribute the recent surge in power-play success not only due to players on the ice, but the return of a coach behind the bench. There’s no denying that, since Kirk Muller took over the power-play, it has a more structured look. It is apparent that the Habs are a threat to score rather than an automatic two minutes off of the clock. If the trend continues, Muller’s signing as an associate coach might rank as one of the best moves for Bergevin this past off-season.
With such another great October for the Canadiens, ‘remember what happened last year’ is a mantra that’s been repeated by fans and foes alike. We remember, but this isn’t last year. Price is healthy, the team has been scoring goals and the power-play has been clutch. Of course, fans are knocking on wood, but, for the most part, they have been enjoying the success rather than wondering when it’s all going to end.