The Montreal Canadiens are a few wins away from returning to the Stanley Cup final.
After winning back-to-back series in seven games, it’s clear what has been making this team tick. The impromptu stardom of goaltender Jakub Dobeš and their forward depth coming up big time after time.
Montreal’s Stars Have Been Streaky
Captain Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky lead Montreal’s forwards in points. Yet, their actual performance on the ice falls short of expectations. Each player has a negative plus-minus. While they are producing, 24 of the line’s 39 combined points have come on the power play.
For a line that was so dominant during the regular season, it’s fair to say they haven’t been at their best yet in the playoffs. With Suzuki and Caufield breaking offensive records that have been around since the 1990 season for the Canadiens, expectations were sky high. Things have started to click as of late with a massive game one performance in the Eastern Conference Final. Still, Montreal wouldn’t be this deep into the playoffs without the help of their depth scoring.
Dach, Texier, and Bolduc Lift Habs to Second Round
Game 2 in Montreal’s first-round matchup saw them fall in overtime to Tampa Bay to even the series at one. After a poor icing from Kirby Dach in OT, he was then beaten by his man on the ensuing faceoff. The play led to JJ Moser’s eventual game-winner for the Lightning. It was a nightmare scenario for a once highly touted prospect who’s struggled to find consistency in his NHL career.
After an uproar from fans caused Dach to delete his social media before Game 3 back in Montreal. He responded with an inspired performance. The Candiens won in overtime. The Dach line was on the ice for all three of the team’s goals.
Bolduc contributed a goal for the line in Montreal’s Game 4 loss. Game 5 was another win that wouldn’t have come without the group’s stellar performance. Dach and Texier scored the last two goals for the Candiens en route to yet another nailbiter win. It put the Habs in the driver’s seat for the series, just needing to win one of the next two to advance.
Newhook’s Clutch Performance
Alex Newhook was nothing short of spectacular in the second round against Buffalo. Newhook scored his first goal of the postseason and the biggest of his career at the time to propel Montreal past Tampa in Game 7. That was just the start of what became a hot streak that will have Canadiens fans talking about him for decades to come.
Newhook then scored five goals in three games against the Sabres. They were massive goals that allowed Montreal to win two straight after dropping game one to Buffalo. Yet none were bigger than his sixth of the series.
He scored the series-clincher in Game 7 of the first round. Somehow, he topped that by scoring the overtime winner in Game 7 of the second round.
Montreal jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first period. However, Buffalo swung momentum heavily in their favor and tied the game in the third. It looked like the Canadiens were destined for a disappointing flight back home, but Newhook found the back of the net. His goal sent Montreal straight to the conference final.
Depth Continues to Produce in the Conference Final
Now, looking at the start of the conference finals its been more of the same for Montreal. Depth is keeping them going. Phillip Danault and Josh Anderson have been the heart of this team all playoffs. After being traded to Montreal during the season, Danault registered just 12 points in 45 games. In 17 games of playoff hockey, he already has 10.
Somehow, Danault has found a way to turn back the clock to his first tenure in Montreal. He has shown he can still contribute to a winning team. While the production hasn’t been at the same level, Anderson has been just as impactful for the Habs. When number 17 is on the ice, it’s hard not to notice.
His ability to use his size and speed to pressure teams’ defenders is unmatched in Montreal. Numerous times this postseason, Montreal has scored, and the reason it happened is because of the havoc Anderson is causing opposing teams.
Candiens Need Everyone to Advance
While depth got Montreal to the conference final, the next step is much harder. Reaching the Stanley Cup Final and winning it all will require everyone to chip in. There have only been a few games where the Canadiens’ entire lineup seems to be firing on all cylinders.
The Tampa series required a true hard-nosed work ethic to win. Buffalo was a high-scoring, fast-paced series that saw blowouts each way. Now, to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes, it will take a combination of both.
As was seen in Game 1, Montreal has more than what it takes to compete with Carolina. Now it’s about finding consistency throughout the lineup to claw past the Hurricanes and into the cup final.
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