Max Pacioretty Emerging As Two Way Threat For Montreal Canadiens

Max Pacioretty has shown since he became a full time NHL player, that he can bring consistent offense to the Montreal Canadiens lineup. After breaking out in the 2011-12 season with 33 goals and 65 points in 79 games (0.82 points per game), he scored 39 points in 44 games in the lockout shortened 2013 season (0.89 PPG) and followed that up with 39 goals and 60 points last season in 72 games (0.83 PPG).

The biggest knock on Pacioretty over the past few seasons, much like with all goal scorers in the league, is that he is too streaky. He is called out for scoring his goals in bunches, which are followed by long stretches where he does not find the back of the net.

Oct 27, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens (30) makes a save in a game against Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty (67) in the first period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Chris LaFrance-USA TODAY Sports

The point was, when a goal scorer is not scoring goals, he is not helping the team at all. However, such a case can not be made against Pacioretty this season, as he is emerging as an excellent two way threat for the Montreal Canadiens.

When the Canadiens lost veterans Josh Gorges and Brian Gionta to the Buffalo Sabres this summer, a big question that hovered over the team was how would the penalty kill adjust to losing two of their top contributors?

Two years ago, when Pacioretty scored just under a point per game in the lockout year, he almost never stepped on the ice when the Habs were down a man. Towards the end of last season he began to be trusted in the shorthanded situations from time to time.

This season however, Pacioretty had become the penalty killing partner of Tomas Plekanec, who is the Habs best defensive forward. Ten games into this season, Pacioretty is averaging just under two minutes of shorthanded ice time per game, and still leads the Habs forwards in power play ice time as well.

Oct 18, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty (67) shoots the puck against Colorado Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard (31) during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

It is a good thing that Pacioretty has proven to be capable of handling the shorthanded minutes, because the Canadiens are giving him plenty of opportunity to show off his abilities when down a man. No team in the league has been shorthanded more than the Habs this season, who have been down a man 43 times in ten games.

The team has only allowed five goals in those 43 situations, giving them the fifth best penalty kill percentage in the league at 88.4.

It is not just Pacioretty’s work on the penalty kill that is showing a maturation in his defensive game. Max has played the second most minutes of any Hab forward at 5 on 5 so far this season, at 131:19. In over two full games worth of even strength ice time, Pacioretty has been on the ice for just two goals against and eight goals for.

Oct 25, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec (14) celebrates with forward Max Pacioretty (67) after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Offensively, Pacioretty has scored three goals and seven points in the team’s first ten games. His goal total is a tad lower than his career average would suggest, but his new responsibilities are not affecting his overall point production. He is second on the team in shots on goal, and is still getting chances. It is just a matter of time before a few more pucks hit the back of the net for Pacioretty.

After scoring 39 goals in 73 games last season, finishing fourth in the NHL even though he missed nine games, it appeared Pacioretty may have peaked as an NHL player.

This season, Pacioretty is showing he can still reach those lofty offensive totals, while being a much better player in all other facets of the game, leaving little question that the Montreal Canadiens have an elite two way forward playing on their top line.

At a cap hit of just 4.5 million dollars for four more seasons after this one, the Habs may have the biggest bargain in the league for the foreseeable future.