A Winning Habit
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The line the Montreal Canadiens must watch out for against Pittsburgh

By Omar L

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 12: (L-R) Juuso Riikola #50, Brandon Tanev #13, Teddy Blueger #53 and Chad Ruhwedel #2 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate after Tanev scored a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on January 12, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The Penguins defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in an overtime shootout. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 12: (L-R) Juuso Riikola #50, Brandon Tanev #13, Teddy Blueger #53 and Chad Ruhwedel #2 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate after Tanev scored a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on January 12, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The Penguins defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in an overtime shootout. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 3: Montreal Canadiens Pittsburgh Penguins (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

There could be problems if Sullivan chooses to match his fourth line against Paul Byron–Jesperi Kotkaniemi–Artturi Lehkonen. The Habs’ third line has speed in their favour, but the Blueger line has taken on some of the better lines in the NHL.

Byron-Kotkaniemi-Lehkonen also doesn’t have much experience playing together as a unit. Kotkaniemi has played more with Lehkonen, and as you’d expect, they create shots and scoring chances at 5v5 with little goal scoring.

The Montreal Canadiens need their third-line to get going though. They can’t expect Phillip Danault and Nick Suzuki to drive offence while facing off against Crosby and Malkin. As much as the chaotic factor is a weapon for the team, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them back off and not want to give Pittsburgh space giving up their offence to focus on their defence in the process.

If so, the bottom-six is going to be key, but that’s going to be a huge problem with Tanev-Blueger-Aston-Reese skating around out there. Max Domi could be a difference-maker if he’s eligible to play and gets a spot on the third-line. With him on the ice, that line may be able to see more of their scoring chances turn into actual goals that the Montreal Canadiens can use as an incentive to shut things down later into regulation time.

Next. Don't only rely on Weber's shot. dark

Who knows, though. This series against the Pittsburgh Penguins is going to be a serious game of chess. And one that could show how good or bad of a coach Claude Julien really is.

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