Montreal Canadiens' Five Guys

The entire NHL found out in 2014-15 just how good Carey Price could be. They learned that he could carry the team on his shoulders and to an impressive 110 points despite being out-shot and out-chanced significantly in most games. Well, that was then and this is now. The Montreal Canadiens are not the same team this season. Their play has improved throughout, a few new pieces and positions are a steadying force through the lineup, and the team is rolling four lines more often. But there’s no denying that if you’re paying close attention to the reason they keep winning so far in 2015-16 it always involves their Five Guys.

FIVE GUYS

When they’re on the ice at the same time, which is often the case since they all lead the team in ice-time, the Canadiens have their Captain and all 4 Assistant Captains on the ice. These are the leaders of the team, charged with leading by example and performing at their best every single game. They certainly haven’t disappointed as they are amongst the leaders in most statistical categories and have dominated play for the majority of the time they’ve spent on the ice.

Here are the Five Guys and their performances so far this season:

Oct 17, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing

Max Pacioretty

(67) before the game against Detroit Red Wings at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Max Pacioretty: Captain

Goals: 7 (2nd in NHL) 1 SHG, leads NHL with 5 ESG
Assists: 4
Points: 11 (tied for 2nd)
+/-: +12 (leads NHL)
OPS: 2nd in NHL with 1.6
PS: T-3rd in NHL with 2.2
CF%: 56.4
Shots: 36 (T-2nd in NHL)
S%: 19.4
ATOI: 18:32
Max is doing everything extremely well this season. Maybe it’s the added responsibility he feels with the C on his chest, or that he feels healthy as could be, but his performance has gone up year-over-year. He’s been an outstanding example on both sides of the rink and he sets the tone for the Habs offensively. I know that there was discussion about whether or not he should have been given the Captaincy once it was handed out, but there’s no doubt he has silenced most of his critics now that the season’s well under way.

Oct 23, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens center

Tomas Plekanec

(14) shoot the puck as Buffalo Sabres left wing

Tyler Ennis

(63) defends during the first period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Tomas Plekanec: Assistant Captain

Goals: 5 (T-8th in NHL)
Assists: 5
Points: 10 (T-10th in NHL)
+/-: +11 (2nd in NHL)
OPS: 1.2 (T-9th in NHL)
PS: 1.8 (T-8th in NHL)
CF%: 53.7
S: 24
S%: 20.8
FOW%: 49.8
ATOI: 18:55
Tomas has been the most vocal player in trying to get fans to recognize the hard work and outstanding play of all players, not just that of Carey Price. Well, he’s put his money where his mouth is this season as he’s been a force to be reckoned with. There was some talk early on in the season about possibly putting him as the 3rd line centre in the future. That possibility now looks far off in the distance as he’s done everything from stripping and out skating Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson for a breakaway goal to killing off penalties. He’s set the tone for the others and has demanded they follow him into battle and perform well every game.

Oct 23, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens right wing

Brendan Gallagher

(11) reacts after being hit with the puck during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. The Canadiens won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Brendan Gallagher: Assistant Captain

Goals: 4 (3 PPG good for 3rd in NHL)
Assists: 5
Points: 9
+/-: +8
OPS: 1.1 (T-16th in NHL)
DPS: 0.4
PS: 1.5 (T-20th in NHL)
CF%: 56.2
S: 28
S%: 14.3
ATOI: 16:14
You can give as many accolades to the other Five Guys on this list and point to statistics all over the stats sheets that point to their outstanding play, but you can’t see what Brendan Gallagher means to the Montreal Canadiens unless you watch the games and see the work he puts in on the ice. The picture on the right was taken after he took a P.K. Subban full force slap shot in the stomach and tried to catch his breath. He never missed a shift and wound up scoring 2 PPG during this game. At 5’9″ 180 lbs, he spends more time in front of the net than any other player in the NHL and earns that space by fighting for every single inch of it. His ability to redirect point shots has steadily improved, and he’s the fighting force that the top line needs in Montreal. Still under-rated by fans, he’s one player that every single team in the NHL would love to have on their team.

Oct 17, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman

P.K. Subban

(76) before the game against Detroit Red Wings at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

P.K. Subban: Assistant Captain

Goals: 1
Assists: 9 (leads NHL)
Points: 10 (T-10th in NHL)
+/-: +11 (2nd in NHL)
OPS: 1.0
DPS: 1.2 (leads NHL)
PS: 2.2 (T-3rd in NHL)
CF%: 50.6
ATOI: 25:43 (leads Habs)
The knock on Subban in the past was the lack of continuity to his game. Giveaways, untimely penalties, and focus were all issues he seemed to struggle with often enough to frustrate fans and coaches alike. Well those days are long gone, as he’s played his most mature stretch of hockey through the first 9 games of this season. He’s opening up space on the ice with his skating ability as well as his outstanding outlet passes. More impressive has been his aggressive play in front of the net, which has allowed his goaltenders the opportunity to see the puck. You could not ask for anything more from P.K. Subban this season. He has truly given it his everything, and the whole package is finally coming together as he looks to compete for another Norris Trophy this season.

Oct 1, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman

Andrei Markov

(79) looks to make a pass during the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Andrei Markov: Assistant Captain

Goals: 1
Assists: 9 (T-1st in NHL)
Points: 10 (T-10th in NHL)
+/-: 11 (T-2nd in NHL)
OPS: 1.0 (T-21st in NHL)
DPS: 1.2 (T-1st in NHL)
PS: 2.2 (T-3rd in NHL)
CF%: 50.9
Shots: 12
S%: 8.3
ATOI: 23:32
A player I referred to as the Humble Russian before the season began, he exemplifies excellence as a defenseman and may be Subban’s biggest rival for the Norris trophy so far this season. He and Subban have built up chemistry that is unrivalled in the NHL and they lead the league in most categories. What Markov has provided the Canadiens with includes slowing the game down, remembering to have fun (as shown when he skated around Subban and pointed to him during the season opening ceremony in Montreal), and cohesion. His leadership for blue liners is understated and he deserves much more recognition than he receives in the NHL.

Like the fast-food chain, these Five Guys have been a profitable group in the standings for the Montreal Canadiens. It’s almost unfair to other teams when all Five Guys are on the ice when you consider the experience, talent, and chemistry they all have. But more than anything for this season, the Canadiens’ Five Guys have a focus and determination that wasn’t as steady a force in prior seasons. They all know they’re sticking around now that Marc Bergevin extended Tomas Plekanec, and they want to win a Stanley Cup together more than anything else. If anyone is going to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a Stanley Cup, it’s definitely these Five Guys, and the team now looks to have the supporting cast required to support them in achieving their goal.

Montreal Canadiens’ Five Guys, the very best 5 player group in the NHL this season.

Next: Andrei Markov: The Humble Russian

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