A Winning Habit
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Montreal Canadiens: Brett Kulak Quietly Excelling in Top Four Role On Habs Blue Line

By Sebastian High

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Brett Kulak of the Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Brett Kulak of the Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 03: Brett Kulak #77 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 03: Brett Kulak #77 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /

Kulak created several chances for Habs

The first was Armia-esque, he drove the puck into the slot and while protecting it went for a wrap-around that nearly found the back of the net, which was displaced by Jared McCann in the process. This attack resulted in a Canadiens powerplay. The second was in the third period when Kulak led an odd-man rush alongside Tomas Tatar, passing the puck to the left-winger, who got off a dangerous shot that forced Matt Murray to make a good save.

The Penguin’s second goal was on an odd-man rush following a pinch by Kulak. The argument can be made that he is at fault for the decisive goal, but considering that just over five minutes remained in the game and the Canadiens had yet to beat Matt Murray, the time was right to take a risk. It just didn’t work out this time, with the puck taking an unlucky bounce.

The positive in this play is that Kulak continued to try to find ways through the Pittsburgh defence, something his game has sorely missed in the past 12 months. Seeing him become more confident carrying the puck and jumping into the play has made him a much better overall defenceman.

Overall, the Calgary native really stepped up his level of play, allowing Claude Julien to lighten the load for Shea Weber and Ben Chiarot. The Crosby matchup went to Kulak and Petry more often than not, and with Pittsburgh getting the last change, the Habs needed more than just Weber and Chiarot playing a shutdown role.

Of course, a mere two play-in games is far from enough to go out and call Kulak a legitimate top-4 defender. Just like it isn’t enough to say that Carey Price is back to his Hart trophy form or that Nick Suzuki is on track to become a Patrice Bergeron type #1 centre. But it does instill hope in the fanbase that Kulak is rebounding from a poor season and is giving the left-defenceman a boost in confidence.

Given Brett Kulak’s solid play in this series, he seems to be solidifying his spot alongside Jeff Petry for the upcoming season; and with the arrival of Alexander Romanov, this may be what secures his spot in the lineup. I certainly plan on keeping a watchful eye on #77 for the remainder of this series. If he can continue his display of defensive proficiency and the driving of offensive plays, his contract may very well prove to be a bargain for the next two seasons.

All statistics are taken from Hockey-Reference.com.

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