The Montreal Canadiens had been again at dwelling to face the Washington Capitals after a tough loss in New York Metropolis. Although it was an satisfying recreation on the Bell Centre, the Canadiens misplaced 4-3.
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It should appear repetitive at this level, however in each single recreation it’s the identical story: the primary line is one of the best factor going for the Canadiens. Within the first interval, Nick Suzuki flanked by Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield registered a 98.4 per cent goals-expected share.
The road was on the ice for 9 pictures for, and gave up just one shot in opposition to. They’d 4 high-danger probabilities whereas giving up none.
One of the best likelihood was a two-on-one created by Caufield. He stole the puck from Alexander Ovechkin on the Montreal blue line earlier than he and Slafkovsky mixed for a wonderful alternative. Caufield handed to Slafkovsky whose shot was stopped by Darcy Kuemper.
The go could have been only a bit behind stopping Slafkovsky from taking pictures a one-timer, however specializing in the optimistic, it’s one more alternative for the 19-year-old because the offence appears to be revolving round him. That is phenomenal at this early stage of his profession.
Within the second interval, it was Slafkovsky main a rush. He slowed down the sport superbly as he carried the puck and waited patiently till a lane opened up for Caufield who received off a terrific shot. That’s numerous savvy from Slafkovsky within the second – there’s numerous calm and management coming into his recreation.
Within the third interval, the road will get on the scoreboard. It was a beautiful-looking energy play accomplished when Slafkovsky arrange Suzuki with a cross-crease go. Matheson, Newhook and Caufield additionally had been throwing the puck round skillfully on an ever-improving energy play.
The help for Slafkovsky gave him a degree in his eighth straight recreation which is a franchise report for a Canadiens teenager. The objective for Suzuki meant a 3rd straight season for him with 20 targets.
Alex Newhook received his first objective since getting back from harm. Newhook has been robust. That commerce appears to be like good for GM Kent Hughes. Newhook has been good on the facility play within the bumper place, and he’s trying good centering a line with Joshua Roy and Joel Armia.
Different positives had been the continued potential for Roy to create scoring probabilities, and Arber Xhekaj was in a temper to be bodily dominating inflicting ache for the Capitals. Roy will probably be an NHL participant. He’s received the instruments. Xhekaj reveals his worth finest when he’s in search of folks to punish.
Montreal Canadiens’ Joel Armia (40) reacts to a objective by teammate Arber Xhekaj (not proven) in opposition to Washington Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper throughout first-period NHL hockey motion in Montreal, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
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It was a aggressive hockey recreation with little to be involved about from a Montreal point-of-view. Jake Allen was poor on the primary objective allowed as he set free an extended rebound on a simple shot, however he recovered properly after that. It was merely an evening the place the opposition scored extra. In a seek for a better draft decide in June, nobody will probably be too upset about this one’s leisure worth.
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The Canadiens want 50 extra targets to be aggressive. They’d 232 targets final season, and this yr they’ll be round that quantity once more. Fewer than three targets per recreation isn’t a playoff hockey staff in immediately’s NHL.
The web site MoneyPuck posted the targets anticipated of all groups on Saturday and shockingly the Canadiens are twenty eighth within the league.
Breaking this down, the Canadiens have a point-per-game manufacturing from the highest line of Suzuki flanked by Slafkovsky and Caufield, in order that isn’t the difficulty. These three are pulling their weight. Since Slafkovsky’s play got here alive and the road has been collectively they’ve put collectively outstanding numbers total.
The manufacturing of this line rivals high strains within the league. For instance, one of many league’s finest strains is Connor McDavid, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. That Oilers line has 62 targets this season. Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky have 50 targets.
Within the final 25 video games, the Auston Matthews line with Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies has scored 36 targets. The Suzuki line has scored 31 targets unfold round evenly with Caufield’s 11, Suzuki’s 10, and Slafkovsky’s 10 targets. Montreal’s high line is forward of many different high strains in manufacturing within the final 25 video games.
Whereas the Montreal defenders nonetheless have points defending, they aren’t struggling in targets anticipated. Montreal is third within the league in targets scored by defencemen behind solely Colorado and Calgary.
The Canadiens are getting nearly no secondary scoring. A comparability in opposition to among the best golf equipment within the league proves the case: whereas the Canadiens’ high line has 50 targets this season, the Jets’ high line of Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Gabe Vilardi has 45 targets.
Nevertheless, the Jets’ second line has 43 targets. That may be very near the manufacturing of the primary line. The Canadiens second line has 15 targets. Total, forwards 4 by way of 12 on the Jets have supplied 95 targets this season, whereas the Canadiens solely have 44 targets.
The Canadiens correcting this concern will make them a aggressive hockey staff. Statistically, that is the 50 targets the membership is lacking. All one of the best groups have 90 targets from strains two by way of 4 this season.
One other instance is the Canucks. Vancouver has 107 targets from forwards 4 by way of 12. Montreal is a whopping 63 targets decrease than the league-leaders. The Canadiens’ concern is depth scoring.
Objectives-expected isn’t nearly targets. It additionally displays the place the motion of the sport is spent– who will get the possibilities. Sadly, when forwards 4 by way of 12 are on the ice, the sport is generally performed in entrance of a Montreal goalie.
Nevertheless, options are across the nook. Kirby Dach skated once more earlier than observe and there’s hope contained in the group that he’ll play once more this yr. Finally, the top-ten decide within the draft this summer season will even elevate a line that not solely wants to attain targets, but in addition create an setting the place the play is in entrance of the opposite goalie.
Strains three and 4 will enhance with the arrival of Owen Beck, Filip Mesar and Joshua Roy. Montreal additionally has three different first-rounders within the subsequent two drafts so as to add scoring choices.
The difficulty contained in the rebuild is clear: when the Canadiens get 50 extra targets added to the overall from forwards 4 by way of 12, they’ll enhance exponentially. Strains two by way of 4 will enhance beginning subsequent yr. Naturally, extra wins include their arrival.
Brian Wilde, a Montreal-based sports activities author, brings you Name of the Wilde on globalnews.ca after every Canadiens recreation.
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