Montreal Canadiens Roundtable: Hope dwindles for the playoffs

As the Montreal Canadiens’ hopes for a spot in the playoffs dwindle heading into the weekend, we are pleased to bring to you another A Winning Habit Roundtable!

1) With the Montreal Canadiens in the middle of a playoff push, do you agree with the coaching staff’s decision to reduce Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s ice time and role?

Emmanuel D: Yes, I think he has stagnated due to fatigue, and by Julien limiting his role, it could help him find his game without having to worry about other responsibilities. I believe he played a good game against the Lightning, and most of the team struggled to get anything past Holtby, so it’s hard to say for that one. With one game left, my opinion could still change.

Omar White: One thing that’s being underrated in the last few seasons is the difficulty to play centre. It’s not that the position is easier to play. However, the number of young players who have been able to step in and play down the middle right away has increased. The defensive responsibility that comes with playing centre is far beyond that of a winger’s as you’re basically a third defenceman which makes it difficult to focus on offence and when you break into the league, that’s mostly all you have on your mind.

However, Kotkaniemi has been different since he joined the organization. He makes a lot of offence plays, but his commitment to defence was greater than most see in an 18-year-old.

At the same time, his play has taken a step back to the point where he hasn’t been nearly as noticeable or effective at 5v5. The Habs have been in a position the last month where every game is essential, and with that in mind, Claude Julien is trying to put the best lineup on the ice to win. If he feels someone isn’t playing as well, it’s his prerogative to make that change.

I understand the decision, but even now, I don’t agree with it. Regardless of skill and hockey IQ, having a role on a team is crucial. For the majority of the season, Kotkaniemi was the team’s third line centre in charge of generating offence while limiting chances against. He dictated play and pace as the third line centre, and now he’s on the fourth line left wing.

Have you noticed Kotkaniemi looking a bit disengaged? He’s no longer the captain of his ship, and although that is an important lesson to learn in the NHL that you may not be in control of what you do, we know where Kotkaniemi is going to be.

That’s not to say that Julien is ruining things with him. He has played a lot dating back to last year in Finland where he played on the wing. However, Kotkaniemi has been in a significant role at centre since then from the Rookie Tournament to the preseason, to the show with the Montreal Canadiens. It’s tough to go from where you want to be to where you’re placed.

Dillon ‘Dom’ Dominque: Yes. He’s the youngest player in the league and has been playing what feels like non-stop since his season in the Liiga began last year before he was drafted. He’s been somewhat of a non-factor for a couple of weeks now, and that’s normal for a player of his age playing his first year in North America. The competition at this point in the season is unlike nothing he has ever seen.

Joshua Delorme: I was totally against the reduction in JK’s role at the beginning. Upon further reflection and watching his game more closely I do understand what the coaching staff sees. It is clearly evident to anyone who is watching the game and his play of late that he is struggling. I am not arguing with that. Where I tend to have a problem with the way this organization has handled young players over the years is how their message comes across.

Firstly, let me tell you that I am absolutely 100% against the notion of playing this kid at fourth line left wing! Second, if this coaching staff wants to reduce ice time, which I can understand and agree with, it is beyond me why he is not out there on the man-advantage! The skill is so clearly apparent and for a team that struggles to score on the Power Play like the Canadiens do having Kotkaniemi and his skill set out there during the Power Play definitely wouldn’t hurt! So, all this to say that while I understand the coaching staff’s decision to limit his ice time, I would rather they reduce his ice time five-on-five and give him some Power Play time.

2) Has the play of Jordan Weal impressed you since his arrival, and if it has do you think it would be wise for the team to re-sign him this summer?

ED: When Weal was first placed in the lineup, I found his usage questionable. There was that one game where he played close to 18 minutes which is higher than most of the impactful players. After watching him, I see why he has the trust of Claude Julien as he brings a lot of speed and hockey IQ. He really solidifies the bottom six and adds some playmaking that they were missing in the first half of the season.

I think it would make a lot of sense to sign him in the summer because of his versatility and ability to play anywhere in the lineup.

OW: Weal is one of the more lower-scale underrated players in the NHL, but teams were on to his skills. When he hit free agency, a number of teams were in on him, and the Philadelphia Flyers managed to bring him back for another two years.

His style matches Montreal’s perfectly. He has speed, tenacity, and doesn’t care about his size. Julien has appreciated Weal’s work ethic quickly as he’s managed to combine it with a reliable two-way game that’s had him put up three goals and five assists in 15 games. Not too bad of a total, especially when the Montreal Canadiens added him for Michael Chaput who only had five helpers in 32 games.

Weal has been a good addition for the Habs in their late-season push for the playoffs, but I don’t think they should resign him. Think about how the lineup is going to be constructed.

The 2019-20 season should be a year where Kotkaniemi is challenged to play even higher in the lineup. Phillip Danault and Max Domi are going to be around and a large part of the Habs contending. The Habs still have fourth line options in Matthew Peca or could let a prospect contend for the spot.

Although the Habs have cap space right now, they can’t start throwing contracts at players. I’d rather see them use what they have, even if it means Weal walks.

3) Other than Carey Price, which player has been the most instrumental in this playoff push?

OW: Be honest with yourself. Who thought the Montreal Canadiens would be able to match the goal scoring left in Max Pacioretty, with Tomas Tatar. He was a cap dump! Many were laughing at the idea of Tatar being able to have a similar impact as the team’s former captain, and he’s gone above and beyond.

It’s more than the goal scoring, although he does have 25 goals and 33 assists. That top line with Tatar, Danault, and Gallagher has been the most consistent line all season. Each brings energy and commitment to playing and competing down low, and Tatar is the switch up of the trio.

He works along the boards and in front of the net to compliment Gallagher but can skate with the puck and carry it into the zone. Additionally, his shot is a weapon especially in the slot when he can slip away from the opposition and free up space for himself.

There’s a reason that line starts every game for the Montreal Canadiens. They set the tone and the standard for the way the team needs to play and trickles down. Tatar brings it all and his impact on the Habs this season isn’t talked about enough.

ED: Other than Carey Price, the most instrumental player has to be Max Domi. He wants it bad, and we’ve been seeing it the past week. Another player is Andrew Shaw. Ever since he called out the team a few weeks back, we see everyone buying into the push.

DD: MAX DOMI. He has completely stepped his game up. He has 4 points in his last five games and 9 in his last 10. He’s Montreal’s leading point producer and hasn’t disappointed during this playoff push. He’s a heart and soul guy along with Gallagher and is playing his best hockey now against the toughest competition of the season. His goal against Tampa Bay on April 2nd was clutch, sealing the deal in a very important game.

JD: It is hard to find a player more valuable to his team than Carey Price. If he has an off night it does not matter what the team does in front of him; chances are it is going to be a long night for the people watching the game. Since December he has been at the top of his game, but other than him it would have to be Max Domi.

This kid bleeds Montreal Canadiens red. His energy, his drive, his work ethic, his passion is always evident. He gives everything he has each and every night. He is always out there trying to create something in the offensive zone, as is apparent by his over 70-point season, and his play away from the puck is excellent. This kid is a leader on this team, on and off the ice, and it shows every time he is out there how much he wants to win. To me, Max Domi is the Canadiens’ MVP this season.

BONUS: Following the loss in Washington last night, how do you feel about the Canadiens’ chances of making the playoffs?

DD: Slim to none… We are tied with Columbus at 94 points. Columbus would need to lose both of their next two games against the Rangers and the Senators, while we would need to win our last game against Toronto. It is possible, but the odds aren’t in our favour. We are playing a playoff team that we haven’t beaten all season while they play two non-playoff teams.

OW: It’s tough. You don’t want to be in a position where you’re relying on the success of other teams, but that’s where the Montreal Canadiens placed themselves. Nothing should be taken away from the team as they had a great season, but it looks to be over at this point. Maybe the Rangers can share some good karma after what happened in 2014.

ED: After the loss, relying on Columbus to lose is a desperation move. The Habs played a good game but couldn’t score more than one on Holtby, and I believe it cost them their playoff hopes. The game against the Leafs could still mean something if Columbus loses but it looks like this is it.

JD: This game was an absolute must-win for the Canadiens. With Carolina beating New Jersey their chances now rest solely in the hands of the New York Rangers and the Ottawa Senators defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets. I don’t like the odds of that happening.

The only hope Montreal has of making the playoffs now is beating Toronto on Saturday and Columbus loses both games. The season will have come down to the loss in Columbus last week and the loss in Washington tonight. They gave it everything they had down the stretch, but I think their name will be in the lottery draw come next Tuesday for the draft. Time to get the golf clubs ready!