by Andrew Saadalla, Guest Columnist, All Habs Hockey Magazine
MONTREAL, QC. — It’s no secret that the 2016-2017 edition of the Montreal Canadiens are a much-improved team. Through ten games, the Habs hold a 9-0-1 record and have collected 19 out of a possible 20 points to start their year off, better than they did last season at 9-1-0. In fact, this is the best start in their long and winding history and that can be explained by a sense of camaraderie and unity not only in the locker room but also on the ice.
As it stands, the Habs are fourth overall in the National Hockey League with an average of 3.4 goals scored per game. Their 1.30 goals against average places them atop of the standings, their penalty kill is third overall with a 90 per cent success rate, and their power play is starting to come together as they convert 20 per cent of their chances, good for 14th in the league.
Winners of eight consecutive games, Michel Therrien’s troops have scored a total of 34 goals. Only five teams have fared better, although the Habs have one to two games in hand on their opponents. They’ve allowed the fewest number of goals (14) thus far, and the players’ attitude has drastically changed. Evidently, last season’s demise has scared many into behaving differently this time around as they remain focused on what’s ahead without resting on their laurels. The forwards, defensemen and goaltenders have mostly excelled at playing their parts while establishing themselves as an elite group, though there are certain areas that could use a little work.
Let’s break down the positives and negatives of all three positions.
FORWARDS
The Good:
Alex Galchenyuk has 10 points in as many games. Brendan Gallagher has nine, Alexander “the Revelation” Radulov has eight, and captain Max Pacioretty has seven points while Torrey Mitchell leads the team with five goals in 10 games. Moreover, Paul Byron has been consistent and boasts two goals and five points, as does Phillip Danault.
This goes to show that there is a balance in the scoring depth, as all four lines are clicking and providing offense on a regular basis. The fourth line comprised of Brian Flynn, Mitchell and Danault has been nothing short of spectacular and has had the coaching staff’s confidence from the instant they set foot on the ice.
The Bad:
Tomas Plekanec (10 games played, 0 goals, 3 assist) has perhaps never missed as many scoring opportunities in his career. Only four other Canadiens players have fired more pucks on net than Plekanec’s 22, and they each have at least two goals to their names. He’s come under fire for his performances, but fans need to understand that it’s only a matter of time before he loosens his grip on his stick and starts burying his chances. He’s gotten robbed, missed the net, and fired bouncing and rolling pucks several times, and his luck should surely change soon enough.
Also, I personally expected to see a lot more out of Plekanec’s line mate Artturi Lehkonen. Known for his blistering shot and superior hockey sense, the 21-year-old has only two goals and three points to his name, though he is third on the team with 26 shots on net. Once again, his offensive production should increase sooner than later, and David Desharnais (2 goals, 2 assists) hopes to do the same.
After starting the year out on fire, Desharnais has failed to register a point in his last six games. More is expected of him, and I would not be surprised if he becomes the center of scrutiny in the next few days.
DEFENSEMEN
The Good:
Shea Weber is the beast he was always made out to be. His four goals which include three game-winners and 10 points are best on the team, while his leadership qualities cannot be emphasized or praised enough. General manager Marc Bergevin hit a home run with this acquisition, as Weber’s presence alone has instantly turned the locker room around. It took him no time at all to make Habs fans forget about P.K. Subban, and he seems to have found a decent left-handed partner in Alexei Emelin.
Emelin played very consistently last season and received little to no recognition whatsoever. For some reason, analysts, fans and members of the media appreciate his play of late, as his self-confidence is at an all-time high. He keeps his game simple and shuts down the best opposing forward lines using his strong body and effective poke-checking abilities while patiently moving the puck forward during the transition. He no longer fires the puck along the glass in an attempt to clear the defensive area.
Jeff Petry has fully recovered from the sports hernia injury that plagued him last season and his six points and smooth skating ability were greatly missed during last year’s collapse. It’s as though fans forgot just how important this player was until he started playing again.
Nathan Beaulieu struggled out of the gate but found his groove playing alongside his buddy Greg Pateryn. Beaulieu is the defenseman that pinches the most compared to his teammates, as his speed and superb skating allow him to. Pateryn (8 games played, 2 assist) is a smart yet simple and strong defenseman who is slowly developing his offensive instincts, something he vowed to do during the offseason. His first pass tends to be accurate and well-timed, and his consistent play is part of the reason that 18-year-old Mikhail Sergachev was sent down to the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires.
The Bad:
Although he has four assists to his name, Andrei Markov has difficulty not only keeping up with opponents’ speed but also that of his own teammates. His reaction time has slowed down, as he’s given the puck away a grand total of 10 times through 10 games. While Beaulieu (16), Emelin (13) and Weber (12) have more turnovers, Markov does not have the footwork to recover those lost pucks like he used to. His giveaways tend to be due to being one step behind his teammates and their passing plays.
Still, his playmaking abilities on the power play continue to suit him well, as playing against one less opponent will cause him not to be caught flat-flooted on turnovers as often as he would at even strength.
GOALTENDERS
Is there really anything negative that can be said about either Al Montoya or Carey Price?
Montoya’s 1.47 goals against average, .955 save percentage and 3-0-1 record have been far more than anyone could have realistically expected, while Price is finding his Vezina-winning form with a 1.17 GAA and .964 Sv% through six undefeated contests.
For the first time in quite a few years, the Habs boast one of the best goaltending duos in the league, and the Habs have a ton of confidence when Montoya is behind them.
In all, it’s unrealistic to think that certain trends will continue. I expect Plekanec, Lehkonen and perhaps Andrew Shaw to start contributing more offensively as the fourth line might not find itself on the score sheet every single night. Kirk Muller’s addition behind the bench has certainly helped the power play improve, although there is still quite a lot of work to do in that department.
This is a Montreal Canadiens team that is aiming to compete for the Stanley Cup this season, whether they will publicly admit it or not. Their elite status should remain for the entirety of the regular season schedule, even if they will realistically hit a few bumps in the road along the way. No one player is invincible when it comes to injuries, but I am confident there is enough depth at all three positions to ensure this team punches its ticket to the postseason in decisive fashion this year.