A Winning Habit
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Montreal Canadiens
MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 6: Artturi Lehkonen #62 of the Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Artturi Lehkonen

Artturi Lehkonen scored 18 goals as rookie in 2016-17. Since then, we have been expecting him to break out and score 20 goals. He followed up his impressive rookie campaign with 12 goals albeit in 66 games and just 11 goals last season over a full 82 game schedule.

Lehkonen did set a career high last season with 31 points. Perhaps that was a sign that a breakout was coming soon? He then started with four points in the first five Habs games leading us to believe he would be a consistent offensive threat finally.

Apparently he is not. After scoring a goal and adding three assists in the first five games, Lehkonen went eight straight games without a point. He did score late in Saturday night’s 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, but five points in 14 games isn’t enough for someone with the smarts and skills of Lehkonen.

The 24 year old winger has been a regular contributor on the Habs penalty killing unit for years. He is a terrific defensive winger who often breaks up plays by being in the right spot and rarely, if ever gets caught up ice taking an unnecessary risk.

He also creates lots of chances and gets open for teammates with great consistency. However, he has a tremendously difficult time converting those chances into goals. He has been playing with Jesperi Kotkaniemi most of the season and gets terrific passes from the young centre. Lehkonen just can’t seem to find the back of the net.

If the Canadiens are going to reach the 100 point plateau and ensure a trip to the postseason they are going to need more offence from Lehkonen. He has the skills, intelligence and linemates to be a decent goal scorer. he just needs to turn scoring chances into goals.

Home/Analysis