Montreal Canadiens: Max Pacioretty The Unappreciated Elite Scorer
By Kamal Rehman
Over the last five NHL seasons, Pacioretty has tied with Ovechkin for the most game-winning goals — as mentioned by Marc Dumont in the latest episode of HabsFan vs. LeafsFan (S02, E16). Pacioretty is scoring some crucial goals. Yet, we still hear how many people believe the bulk of his goals are empty net goals. Just not true.
Yet with all the great accomplishments that Pacioretty has achieved why is he targeted so frequently by media and fans alike? Max’s inconsistent play, his supposed lack of passion, the responsibility of being captain and his apparent role in the Subban trade are all reasons why Pacioretty is critiqued more than others.
Fans Want Consistency
As of the writing of this piece, Max is in one of his all too familiar goalless streaks. He has currently gone six straight games without a goal. In October he had a seven-game goalless streak.
He finished the 2016-17 season with a four-game streak and continued that with a well documented six playoff games without a goal. He’s had much more in his career, and he’ll have much more moving forward.
You need goals to win hockey games, and when things don’t go well for the Montreal Canadiens, all the eyes look towards the goal scorers not scoring. When he and only a few others on the team can score much of the pressure falls to Max.
Pacioretty is a guaranteed thirty goal scorer. He is also guaranteed to have long stretches without a goal. It seems the fans would instead like to see Max score a goal every other game than have him score in ten straight and then go cold for ten straight.
Mathematically, it’s the same thing, but it’s the dry spells that drive fans crazy. More consistent production would go a long way in helping to dodge the criticisms hurled towards Pacioretty.