A Winning Habit
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Applying the ‘Yanny or Laurel?’ debate to the Montreal Canadiens

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 03: Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his third period goal with teammates against the Winnipeg Jets during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on April 3, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 03: Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his third period goal with teammates against the Winnipeg Jets during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on April 3, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 3: (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Yanny-Laurel-Montreal Canadiens

Similar to this fun challenge, fixing the issues of a team isn’t about focusing on one thing. A lot of things went wrong for the Montreal Canadiens in the 2017-18 season, and it’s short-sided to zoom in on one area.

Some say goal-scoring was the sole issue, while others pinpoint it on the defence or goaltending. You also can’t forget about the ‘Number One Centre’ problem which is still trying to get figured out via Jonathan Drouin. Marc Bergevin was too deep in the pool of optimism for the team, and it led to a bottom-five finish. Injuries will hurt any team, but to see such a fall right off the bat stings.

Hopefully, the Yanny-Laurel conversation is indirectly at the core of Bergevin’s plan.

The Habs didn’t score as much because they failed to convert on the number of chances generated each game. Some nights there wouldn’t even be any chances to convert on. Why? It can be attested to the danger-level of said chances which were generally of the low variety.

Related Story: The Frustrating Thing About Shots

Establishing extended amounts of zone times is something else that needs to be improved which will fall on the Claude Julien and the rest of the coaching staff.

Montreal failed to keep the puck out of their net on a more consistent basis. That comes down to basic defensive coverage that includes limiting turnovers and being aware of assignments. Not just from the defencemen, but from the forwards as well. Many like to ignore the role of a winger during a d-zone breakdown, and they’re usually just as responsible.

Saving goals also fall at the hands of the goaltender. The Habs didn’t do Carey Price, Antti Niemi, and Charlie Lindgren any favours, but the former didn’t have a season of his calibre. Price will be making $10.5 million next year, and he’ll have to look like every penny in net.

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