A Winning Habit
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Montreal Canadiens: 3 Players Who Will Benefit From a Lengthy Break

By Ken MacMillan

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 30: Jonathan Drouin #92 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates with Joel Armia #40 and Max Domi #13 after scoring a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on October 30, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Canadiens defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 30: Jonathan Drouin #92 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates with Joel Armia #40 and Max Domi #13 after scoring a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on October 30, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Canadiens defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 03: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 03: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

1. Max Domi

When Domi was acquired for Alex Galchenyuk, most Habs fans were distraught. They thought the team had just given up a 30 goal scoring center for a nine goal scoring left winger. Boy, were we all wrong about that deal.

Since then, Domi has proven to be a far better center and a far better point producer than Galchenyuk, who is already on his third different team since he left Montreal. Oh, and he couldn’t play center for any of them.

Anyway, back to Domi. The 25 year old forward exploded offensively in his first year with the Habs. He blew past all of his previous career highs by scoring 28 goals and 72 points in 82 games which beat his previous bests by ten goals and 20 points. Not a bad debut for someone we all thought could only score on empty nets when he arrived.

Heading into this season, Domi was looking to match that production so he could cash in on a big payday. He will be a restricted free agent at season’s end and was nearly a point-per-game scoring, hard-nosed center last summer. Now? Not so much. He was shifted back to the wing for a period of time, though he still mostly plays center, and he has 17 goals and 44 points in 71 games.

The weird thing is, if Domi scored 17 goals and 44 points in 71 games last season we likely would have been pleasantly surprised. A gritty forward who could reach 20 goals and 50 points and is still young? Heck yeah, we will take that. But after his 72 point season this is a major letdown.

Domi has had plenty of ups and downs this season but was struggling a bit his last few games. He was held without a point for four straight games and had a hard time getting anything going last game with Brendan Gallagher on his line.

Next. Juulsen Looks Solid in Return From Injury. dark

With a sharp decline in points and contract negotiations coming up this summer, Domi could use this break to get refocused and remind Marc Bergevin what he can bring to this team over the final 11 games of the year.

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