Montreal Canadiens Drive for 25: Eller is Playoff Stellar

IN COACH’s DOGHOUSE?

Lars Eller has always seems to be getting the short end of the stick in Montreal. It’s been said many times that he has the potential to be a point-per-game player, yet he resides on the third line. Rene Bourque, as this Eyes On The Prize article indicates, fully believed that he and Lars Eller were unfairly targeted by Michel Therrien. EOTP rightfully point out that Eller’s case is better than anyone’s when it comes to PP playing time, and in my opinion, it’s about time that someone take Therrien aside and shake his head for him.

Here’s another note about the Eller-Therrien relationship, in reference to Therrien noting that neither had scored in months (something that should indicate to him that he kept things the same far too long….right?):

I don’t care what he thinks about Lars Eller, he should be on the second PP unit with Jeff Petry on the blue line.

There, it’s been said, and it’s time to “bury the hatchet” if it does exist, and move on so that the Habs – and its sub-par power play units – can be successful.

Apr 15, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Lars Eller (81) battles for the puck with Ottawa Senators center

(7) during the first period in the game one of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

That being said, I can understand having Eller on the third line for one simple reason – he keeps that line dangerous yet defensively strong. Does that make sense? If you want to have a strong third line, like it or not, you have to put talented players on it. And like it or not, sometimes your best defensive players also have offensive talent.

For instance, when Guy Carbonneau finished his junior career with 72 Goals and 182 points in 72 games, the Habs could have put him on the top line when he got to the NHL a few years later, to exploit his offensive abilities. They didn’t, and for good reason. He was far more valuable to the Habs on the third line as a shut-down centre who neutralized the opposing team’s top line. Along with Bob Gainey, they were instrumental in making Montreal one of the toughest teams to score against for years.

My argument, however, is that just because you use a player for one reason when even strength, it doesn’t mean you have to do the same when you have a power play – and yes, it’s alright to break lines up to put the best power play on the ice (someone send this message to Therrien please).

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