A Winning Habit
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Montreal Canadiens: A Healthy Habs Lineup Actually Looks Impressive

By Ken MacMillan

MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 17: Brendan Gallagher #11, Phillip Danault #24 and Tomas Tatar #90 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 17, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 17: Brendan Gallagher #11, Phillip Danault #24 and Tomas Tatar #90 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 17, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 17: Brendan Gallagher #11, Phillip Danault #24 and Tomas Tatar #90 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 17, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 17: Brendan Gallagher #11, Phillip Danault #24 and Tomas Tatar #90 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 17, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /

First Line:

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

This line has proven to be one of the best two-way lines in the league over the past season and a half. They regularly play against the other team’s top line and dominate in possession and often outscore their counterparts.

Tatar has been a revelation since being acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights. He was regarded as a throw-in to the Max Pacioretty deal that also saw Nick Suzuki and a second round pick make their way to Montreal. Tatar is leading the Habs in scoring this season with 39 points in 46 games.

Danault was also acquired via trade and perhaps in an even bigger steal than the Tatar deal. Danault arrived in Montreal in 2016 along with a second round pick that became Alexander Romanov. Heading to Chicago in that trade? Tomas Fleischmann and Dale Weise who would both be unrestricted free agents a few months later.

Danault set a career high with 53 points last season and is well on his way to passing his career high of 13 goals since he already has 11. He garnered some Selke Trophy consideration a year ago and hasn’t taken a step back defensively, while finding a more deft scoring touch around the net.

Gallagher was on track for his third consecutive 30 goal campaign, but he was injured with a concussion on New Year’s Eve and has missed six games. Once healthy, he will surely jump back on a line with Tatar and Danault.

Second Line:

Ilya Kovalchuk – Max Domi – Nick Suzuki

Ilya Kovalchuk was signed to a two-way, $700,000 pro-rated contract for the second half of the season which is about as small of a contract an NHL player can sign. He has looked great in five games for Montreal, scoring a big overtime winner against the Ottawa Senators and scoring four points in his first four games.

Max Domi has been excellent since being acquired for Alex Galchenyuk in June of 2018. He led the team in scoring last season and is second on the team with 33 points in 46 games this season. He has tons of energy and brings leadership on and off the ice while being one of the most dangerous skaters on the team.

Nick Suzuki has been far better than expected for Montreal. He looked great in Junior for the past three years but no one thought he was ready for a top six role already. Just 20 years old, Suzuki started with just one point in his first six games, but had 26 in his next 40. No matter who is healthy on this team, Suzuki is a top six forward.

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