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Canadiens Analysis

Top 5 Lessons The Canadiens Have Learned From The Playoffs

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5 months ago

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Montreal Canadiens ivan demidov via nhn

There will certainly be some disappointed fans that will focus on the fact that the Montreal Canadiens were bounced from the playoffs by the Washington Capitals. But now that the dust has started to settle, we can focus on the big picture, which reveals a few important truths about the lineup.

The First Line Results

Heading into the first-round series versus the Capitals it was clear that the Canadiens’ top line would be shadowed by one of the best shutdown lines in the NHL.

And yet, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky had a fantastic stretch when  we evaluate their underlying numbers.

Simply put, they controlled the play on most shifts. At 5v5, they scored three goals and allowed three goals, which means there’s some room for improvement, but the fact that they controlled more than 60 percent of the shots and expected goals while facing a dominant shutdown line is the epitome of encouraging.

The Canadiens Need More Centres

With all due respect to Jake Evans and Alex Newhook, the lack of depth down the middle of the ice is impossible to ignore. It’s especially concerning when we remember that the player who was designed to take over second-line centre duties, Kirby Dach, is consistently injured.

There’s also some evidence to suggest that Dach would be best suited for the wing, a role that would allow him to eschew some of his defensive responsibilities. He also struggles when it comes to winning faceoffs, much like Newhook, leaving head coach Martin St-Louis with very limited options in the top six.

Now that Ivan Demidov has arrived, the Canadiens would be well served by starting their search for a second-line centre as soon as possible.

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We do have to give Evans a little credit, as his presence alongside Demidov did improve the underlying numbers, but given his historical production rate, he’s not a legitimate option for a long-term solution to the second-line centre problem.

On that note, the Canadiens also need to improve their defensive depth, but they have a fair amount of players in the AHL that could help improve the situation, whereas they’ll likely have to solve their centre issue externally.

The Playoffs Are Greasy

The Capitals weren’t necessarily the most physical team during the regular season, however, their approach to the first-round series revealed a club that can increase their physical play at the drop of a hat.

You may believe the Capitals crossed the line on several occasions, including a few blatant cross-checks that went uncalled, and there’s evidence to suggest that was the case, but such is life in the playoffs.

It was a reality check to a certain extent, a good reminder that there’s a completely new set of unwritten rules that come into place once the playoffs begin. It’s a frustrating situation, both for fans and players, and yet, every team that ends up winning the Stanley Cup has to navigate the inconsistency that reigns supreme in springtime hockey.

Every time a series ends, fans engage in a fruitless debate about which team ended up having an advantage thanks to the referees, with both respective fan bases indicating they got the short end of the stick.

There’s no avoiding it, and to make matters more frustrating, any manner of complaint from players or a coach will only lead to more whistles in the near future.

There’s some inspiration to be taken from one of the most fearless animals in North America, the Canada Goose.

They don’t back down from anyone, and they’re willing to match any sort of aggression with a triple dose of belligerence, regardless of the consequence.

Match the grease, fight like Canada Geese.

Samuel Montembeault Deserves More Credit

Every goaltender will deal with their fair share of criticism, especially in Montreal, and yet, there’s no doubt Samuel Montembeault is still among the most valuable players in the lineup.

During the regular season, he finished as a top-five goalie in the league in goals saved above average (24.6, all situations), a situation that he extended into the playoffs with a considerable improvement in his save percentage, which rose from .902 to .908.

Jacob Fowler and Jakub Dobes represent the future, but Montembeault represents the present.

The moment he was injured, the Canadiens lost their best chance of winning the series versus the Capitals.

It’s also worth remembering that without excellent play this season, the Canadiens would have assuredly missed the playoffs, and thus been robbed of a fantastic opportunity to add important experience to their incredibly young lineup.

The Best Is Yet To Come

A quick look at the average age of the team’s first powerplay unit (22) reveals a young squad brimming with talent. Ivan Demidov (19), Juraj Slafkovsky (21), Lane Hutson (21), Cole Caufield (24), and Nick Suzuki (25) scored on more than 50 percent every powerplay in the final games of the series.

Demidov did struggle at times at 5v5, and that was to be expected, but the moment he took over from Patrik Laine on the top powerplay unit, the Habs enjoyed a significantly more puck movement than they had in the past. Consequently, Logan Thompson was forced to reset more often, which led to a vulnerable goaltender.

Now that Hutson has a full year of professional hockey under his belt, we also have to allow for the possibility he’s somehow going to improve upon his excellent production. This, in turn, should help every other young player elevate their game, because Hutson acts as the rising tide that lifts all boats.

Add a healthy number of draft picks in the upcoming draft, as well as a stable of good prospects currently playing for the team’s AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, and you have most of the ingredients necessary to ensure success.

Of course, it’s much easier said than done, and general manager Kent Hughes still has a lot of work to do if he’s to build a roster that can match the current Stanley Cup contenders. There’s even a chance the Canadiens may miss the playoffs next year, especially if a few Eastern Conference teams finally wake up from their decade-long slumbers.

But one thing can be certain, the Canadiens are on the right track just a few years into their rebuild, connoting that they’re ahead of schedule as well, a rarity in the modern professional sports landscape.

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