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Montreal Canadiens: Covering Sidney Crosby No Easy Task

By Scott Cowan

MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 13: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates the puck on a breakaway in a shootout against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 13, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 13: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates the puck on a breakaway in a shootout against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on October 13, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens, Sidney Crosby
MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 13TH: Montreal Canadiens Sidney Crosby (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Phillip Danault has proven himself to be one of the better defensive forwards in the NHL and should be able to take some of the load covering either Crosby, Malkin, or even similar star forwards like Jake Guentzel, but giving him the majority of the load could lead to some issues down the line.

"Nick Suzuki might be a first-year player, but he’s a smart player. This may be Nick’s opportunity to step in there. We know how reliable and smart he is as a player, so defensively he’d be able to do the job. (via Claude Julien conference call)"

The former 1st round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights surprised many this year by recording 41 points in 71 games this year whilst playing alongside primarily defensive forwards like Nick Cousins. Defensively he’s shown the ability to be a solid player, and to give him a shot in a ‘what do we have to lose’ scenario, could work, and give Suzuki a chance to further showcase his skills off the puck.

Much of the Penguins offense is built around players like Malkin and Crosby’s ability to make those around them better, as evidenced by Rust’s and Guentzel’s transitions from defensive forward and AHL prospect respectively to top-line threats.

If the Habs can keep the stars under control, players like Rust and Guentzel can be left to forwards like Jordan Weal, Arturri Lehkonen, or even AHL forwards like Jake Evans, who play serviceable defensive roles in a “nothing happens when they’re on the ice” scenario.

It remains to be seen what the Canadiens’ strategy is as their training camp progresses, and it’ll be interesting to witness how things change as August 1st nears closer and closer. It’s been an up and down season for the Habs in general, but there’s a chance that can all be remedied with a solid performance in this qualifying round.

Next. Max Domi can perfect the third line. dark

If not, look for the Montreal Canadiens to get a solid shot at a 1st overall pick, and Crosby and his fellow Penguins to get some redemption, and finally get the playoff defeat, against his boyhood team.

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