Montreal Canadiens: What These New Lines Can Do
By Omar L
Claude Julien played another game of Montreal Canadiens mash-up with new lines and defence pairings. What can fans expect from these changes?
The Montreal Canadiens are hoping for a fresh start this week. Poor play and bad bounces have gotten them to this point, but all it takes is a well fought game to make the needle point in the other direction. The way the lines and pairings were going hasn’t been working and changes were all but a foregone conclusion.
Changes is what the team made as Claude Julien took out the blender at practice Monday morning.
The Top Line
Jonathan Drouin has given the coaching staff any reason to be removed from his position. He could do better in the face off dot as he’s at 43.1%, but he’s been one of the best forwards on the team. Joining him will be Artturi Lehkonen and Paul Byron.
Lehkonen being on the first line needs no explanation. He hasn’t found the back of the net yet, but is still a very strong forechecker. Byron’s promotion speaks to how strong he’s been despite the team’s struggles. He along with Drouin and Brendan Gallagher have been the only players to score more than once this season. Additionally, his speed could be a great addition to line if Drouin can find him for a breakaway pass.
It’s not the most attractive first line in the league, but it can be a damaging one if their able to capitalize on their chances.
The Second Line
Phillip Danault and Andrew Shaw have played together for the majority of the season so far. Both have excelled in working hard down low and creating space for each other. They have also been a big part of Byron’s scoring when he was playing with them.
Team captain Max Pacioretty will be joining them. He’ll be on the right-wing opposed to his usual left. Pacioretty has constantly mentioned how he needs to be better, and hopefully playing with Shaw and Danault can bring out some of that work ethic. They’ll also be able to free him up to get a quality shot through.
Related Story: Pacioretty and the Edmonton Oilers
Being a left shot but playing on the right side could open up more options for Pacioretty. If not, Shaw has shown in the past that he can score in those dirty areas.
The Third Line
There’s still a little bit of ambiguity around this line. We know that it will be Tomas Plekanec at center with Brendan Gallagher on the right side. Charles Hudon and Jacob de La Rose were alternating on the left. If you ask me, it will probably be Hudon who takes that spot considering his early chemistry with Plekanec.
Additionally, Hudon is second in the team in shots (28) and hits (21). He’s a relentless player and, similar to Gallagher, never gives up on a play. They should have no problem competing against the other team’s top line if that’s what Julien intends for them to do.
The Fourth Line
This is where things get a little interesting. Although it looks like another demotion for Alex Galchenyuk, and on the surface it is, this line with Michael McCarron and Nikita Scherbak could do some damage.
More from Editorials
- Montreal Canadiens: Senators Rebuild At Crisis Point As Kent Hughes Moves Forward
- Montreal Canadiens: Jonathan Drouin Continues Charity Work In Montreal After Leaving Habs
- Montreal Canadiens: Laval Rocket Lineup Going To Be Must Watch
- Montreal Canadiens: Jesse Ylönen Contract Extension Analysis
- Montreal Canadiens: Top 31 Prospects – #31 Quentin Miller
Galchenyuk and Scherbak were displaying some chemistry in the preseason the one game he was recalled. In fact, this line could end up being the one that gels together the quickest with McCarron at center. The 2013 1st round pick is a big body with skill who can retrieve the puck for the other two but has the ability to score himself.
This is a unique opportunity for the two call ups. Usually when they play for the Montreal Canadiens, they’re paired with limited skill. Although they may get about 10 or 12 minutes they could get things done playing against the other team’s fourth lines.
The Defence
Victor Mete has been the team’s best defenceman by far. The nine game window is coming to an end soon, but there’s no reason why the team should send him back to junior considering how well he’s played. That top pairing with him and Shea Weber were left untouched.
In terms of the other two pairings, Karl Alzer is set up with Jordie Benn, leaving Brandon Davidson with Jeff Petry. I kind of understand moving Benn to the second pairing. Julien will probably use them as complete shutdown duo. At the same time, Alzner may be able to better cover for Benn if he makes a mistake (which he’s had the tendency of doing so far in the season).
Davidson hasn’t been in the lineup for the past two games. However, you could say that it was more about getting Joseph Morrow some playing more time rather than taking him out for playing poorly. Petry has had an up and down season so far. At times he would look like his normal self but then turnover the puck or miss an assignment in front of the net. It’s about doing whatever it takes to get the team wins at this point, but Petry most likely doesn’t want to be playing this low in the lineup for the rest of the year.
Improving team defence has to be a priority. Although Carey Price has struggled and let in goals that he would usually have, the team hasn’t done him any favours. If the defence improves, Price improves. If Price improves, the team improves.
Next: The Numbers Say This Won't Last
What do you make of the new lines? Will they change things in the team’s favour? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.