Montreal Canadiens: Are Therrien’s Lines Set?

Montreal Canadiens: Are Michel Therrien’s Lines and Pairings Set?

While watching the Sens vs Habs game I couldn’t help wonder if the lineup as we saw it that game would be very close to what we can expect to see on opening night. With less than a week to go, you have to believe that Michel Therrien will be looking to set his lines up so that they’re used to playing together. If that’s the case, here’s what we can expect to be each Montreal Canadiens line and pairing and some thoughts about their makeup.

TOP LINE: Max Pacioretty – Tomas Plekanec – Brendan Gallagher

Oct 1, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty (67) skates during the warmup period before the game against the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Positives: There’s little that we don’t know already about this line. If Pacioretty is healthy, this line could take a small step forward based on expectations that Gallagher will be able to build on last season’s totals. I’d also add that if the PP is improved, as many expect, all of these guys could set career highs. Finally, when this line is on the ice with Subban and Markov on D, the Habs will have their Captain and 4 Assistant Captains on the ice. Talk about putting all of the leadership in one basket!

Challenges: Pacioretty now has the weight of the Captaincy and has some lingering health issues, Plekanec will be in his mid-30s this year, and Gallagher is now an Assistant Captain. In short, if they all stay healthy and can handle the extra pressure placed on them, they’ll be great! If not, they could add pressure to the second line.

SECOND LINE: Lars Eller – Alex Galchenyuk – Alexander Semin

Sep 28, 2015; Quebec City, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Alex Galchenyuk (27) shoots on Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) as defenseman Kris Letang (58) defends and center Lars Eller (81) during the first period at Videotron Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Positives: There’s a lot to like about this line, but most of all you have to love what you’ve seen from Galchenyuk this pre-season. He looks very comfortable at Centre and has the support he needs on this line to have a career year. These guys are big, seem to work well together, and created more chances than anyone else vs the Sens.

Challenges: If Eller’s going to stick on this line he needs to learn to finish. I know he’s not used to needing a sniper type release, but in order to make good on the opportunities Galchenyuk will provide, he needs to learn that trigger reflex. Meanwhile, Semin needs to keep his legs moving because from what I’ve seen he seems to coast quite a bit. While that can be effective in some instances, it makes the entire line vulnerable to turnovers and exposes them defensively. Finally, Galchenyuk has the most pressure on his shoulders and will have to carry the load on this line.

THIRD LINE: Tomas Fleischmann – David Desharnais – Dale Weise

Sep 28, 2015; Quebec City, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Dale Weise (22) celebrates his goal in a Pittsburgh Penguins empty net with teammate left wing Tomas Fleischmann (15) during the third period at Videotron Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Positives: Although none of these guys will be a point-per-game player this season, they all have the ability to help out with some scoring. I can’t remember the last time the Habs had a third line capable of putting consistent offensive zone pressure on the opposition, but that’s what this line can provide. If Desharnais can build chemistry with Fleischmann, there’s a chance both can get to 40+ point seasons with Weise not far behind. Should that happen, it would be a remarkable improvement on last year since Eller managed 27 points last year and Weise sat at 29. More output by the third line would lower the pressure on all lines, lowering the chances of tightened stick grips.

Challenges: Fleischmann fell out of favour in Florida who wanted to get younger and Anaheim where he failed to make a major impact, so one has to wonder where and why things went wrong. Surely his talent didn’t just disappear. He managed 61 points in 2011-12 and has steadily slipped backwards since then. If the Habs can resurrect his talents and get him going on this line, he could be a major upgrade for them and provide the depth the Habs so desperately need.

FOURTH LINE: Brian Flynn – Torrey Mitchell – Zack Kassian

Sep 26, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Zack Kassian (8) takes down Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mark Fraser (54) during a fight in the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Positives: What this line provides the Habs with is energy and sound play at both ends of the ice. Mitchell’s face-off performances are outstanding, and Kassian should be a physical force. Flynn and Mitchell have played together often and have proven they show up to play every day.

Challenges: The major question all fans have is whether Flynn will remain on this line or be replaced by either Devante Smith-Pelly or Charles Hudon. Another question some have is whether Kassian will eventually earn a role on the third line, particularly if things don’t work out with Fleischmann. All of these could become issues as the season moves forward, but for now, we’ll look at challenges this line could face. The big question in that case is whether or not Kassian will integrate well with his new team mates? If what we’ve seen from him so far this pre-season is any indication of his work ethic, I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. He seems ready to put in the work and is skating very well.

EXTRAS and AHL replenishments: Devante Smith-Pelly, Jacob De La Rose, Charles Hudon, and Sven Andrighetto.

Positives: Each of these guys provide different styles of hockey and two of them have extensive NHL experience. You know injuries always become an issue at some point in the season, so depth is vital in today’s game.

Challenges: Hudon deserves to be on the team as of today, but he needs refinement of his defensive zone game. Smith-Pelly needs to become more consistent and show some scoring ability. De La Rose needs to show he can do more than be fourth line shut down guy. And Andrighetto needs to play better positionally and stop chasing the play so much that he becomes ineffective.

DEFENSE PAIRING #1: P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov

Sep 24, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) checks on Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65) during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Positives: I’m a huge fan of this pairing but really thought they may be separated this year to save Markov’s legs for the playoffs. Having said that, Markov’s play has been great this pre-season. Expect more of the same from this pair, with them being one of the best D tandems in the NHL.

Challenges: Markov’s getting older and it’s possible he runs out of gas again near the end of the season. I hope the Habs recognize this and give him the breaks he needs before the post-season comes around. For Subban, playing smarter hockey should be the focus of his season. Whether it’s blocking the pass on a 2 on 1 or not creating turnovers, he needs to set the tone for the Habs D all season long.

DEFENSE PAIRING #2: Nathan Beaulieu and Jeff Petry

Oct 1, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Nathan Beaulieu (28) scores a goal against Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Positives: My favourite breakout candidate for the Habs this season, Beaulieu is poised to turn a lot of heads as he gets a promotion to the second D pairing. This pairing is going to be a great one. You’ve got the heavy shot from Beaulieu and accurate wristers from Petry. Both are able to throw the body around, and Beaulieu can clear the front of the net very well. Armed with confidence and familiarity from last season’s playoffs, this pair should be an improvement for the D overall.

Challenges: Like any young defenseman, Beaulieu still has a lot to learn and he will make mistakes. Petry has the ability to teach him a few things and has the speed to cover off should it be needed, so those mistakes should be minimized overall.

DEFENSE PAIRING #3: Alexei Emelin and Tom Gilbert

Sep 25, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin (74) hits Chicago Blackhawks forward Daniel Paille (36) during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Positives: Having Emelin on the third pairing tells you all you need to know about how much talent the Habs have to work with on D this season. Paired with Gilbert, he should be able to continue his physical play and help improve the overall depth on the blue line.

Challenges: While I’m not the biggest Gilbert fan and do believe Greg Pateryn will take his place quite often this season, he’s a more than adequate defenseman to have on the third line. There will be a semi-revolving door on this pairing, so I know frustration about not playing as often as they’d like could become an issue for this pair, particularly for Emelin who is used to playing more minutes than he might this season.

SUMMARY

Overall, I like the way the Montreal Canadiens look like on paper and the depth the team has to work with. While it would be great to see more of the young guys on the team from start of the season, the Habs want to ensure they give them ample time to develop and get stronger overall. There’s nothing wrong with the low-risk high-reward projects they’ve taken on with Semin and Fleischmann, and you have to admire the faith Therrien is placing in Beaulieu as he looks to move up to the second defensive pairing.

I like what the Habs have done here a lot. More than I ever thought I would! From Semin and Eller being added to the 2nd line, to Beaulieu’s increased presence on the ice, this team has a ton of potential. Now it’s up to them to make good on that potential and show us all they’re a real Stanley Cup contending team.

What are your thoughts on this setup? Where does this team need to make improvements, and which areas are your favourites?

Next: Montreal Canadiens: 2015-16 Line Combinations