A Winning Habit
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Montreal Canadiens: Three Players Who Need To Step Up Or Habs Will Miss Playoffs

By Ken MacMillan

OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 30: Jonathan Drouin #92 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his first period goal against Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators with teammates Karl Alzner #22, Shea Weber #6, Paul Byron #41 and Artturi Lehkonen #62 at Canadian Tire Centre on October 30, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 30: Jonathan Drouin #92 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his first period goal against Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators with teammates Karl Alzner #22, Shea Weber #6, Paul Byron #41 and Artturi Lehkonen #62 at Canadian Tire Centre on October 30, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 17: Brett Kulak (17) (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 17: Brett Kulak (17) (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Brett Kulak

Expectations were low when Brett Kulak was acquired by the Montreal Canadiens. He had just passed through waivers with the Calgary Flames and went unclaimed. The Habs then sent Rinat Valiev and Matt Taormina to Calgary in exchange for Kulak.

The left defenceman joined a mishmash of left defencemen on the Canadiens roster that were battling for roles and ice time. Victor Mete was at the top of the list, but it was a combination of Jordie Benn, Xavier Ouellet, Mike Reilly, David Schlemko, Karl Alzner and Kulak that fell in line behind the youngster.

Basically, every minute of ice time on the left side of the blue line was up for grabs heading into training camp 2018. Kulak wasn’t even acquired until October 1st, when camp was wrapping up so he definitely started behind the eight ball.

He was sent to the Laval Rocket to start the season and played well. Really well. In 19 games with the AHL team, he scored three goals and 11 points, earning a recall to the big league.

Kulak quickly climbed up the Habs depth chart and formed a solid second pairing with Jeff Petry. The two were regularly trusted to face tough opposition, and dominated the possession game. Kulak ended the season with six goals and 17 points in 57 NHL games.

Things have not picked up this year where they left off last season. Kulak was bumped down to the third pairing to start the year, losing his job to Ben Chiarot who was acquired as a free agent in July. Chiarot narrowly avoided this list himself, but at least he has been able to stay in the lineup every night.

Kulak has played just eight games and has been a healthy scratch for the other six in favour of Reilly. Kulak played so well last season, benching him would have been unfathomable in March or April. However, it has happened almost as often as he has been in the lineup this season.

If the Canadiens are going to make the playoffs this year, they are going to need Kulak to turn back the clock and rekindle his chemistry with Petry on the second pairing.

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