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Montreal Canadiens: What Does a Healthy Habs Lineup Look Like?

By Ken MacMillan

Dec 23, 2019; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Tomas Tatar Brendan Gallagher. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2019; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Tomas Tatar Brendan Gallagher. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Jesperi Kotkaniemi Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Jesperi Kotkaniemi Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Jonathan Drouin – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Cole Caufield

If the Suzuki line is benefiting from better matchups, this line has the potential to crush its opposition. Jonathan Drouin has proven he can’t score goals, but he is a creative playmaker and great puck carrier that would set up a pair of young goal scoring threats.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi has broken through this season as a consistent presence at the NHL level. He isn’t dominating offensively but he took huge leaps in his development compared to last season. His size is more of an advantage now that he has added some muscle and can actually win battle for pucks. His vision is incredible and underrated, and he has a great shot.

Cole Caufield is the wildcard here. He hasn’t played an NHL game yet but he has the potential to be fantastic right away. His speed, skill, and vision are great and he likely has the most potent shot on the team already. He’s only been able to display that shot in practice because of some questionable roster moves at the trade deadline, but when Caufield finally gets to play at the NHL level, he is going to score goals.

Artturi Lehkonen – Jake Evans – Corey Perry

The Habs depth will finally be able to be used once the playoffs begin. A finite number of call ups after the trade deadline and a tight salary cap leave them with little flexibility down the stretch of the regular season. However, those limitations don’t exist in the playoffs so the fourth line will likely be a moving target.

Artturi Lehkonen doesn’t bring offence, we just have to accept that at this point in his career. However, he is a great defensive winger and penalty killer. Jake Evans is a speedy penalty killing centre who won’t add a lot of offence himself, but can be trusted while shorthanded and won’t hurt the team defensively.

Corey Perry has played well for the Canadiens all season and is assured a regular spot in the postseason. He plays a pivotal role on the power play at the front of the net and provides leadership, experience and a bit of a scoring punch.

This line could play a regular shift at even strength, and all three players would be counted on to help on special teams. That’s all you can ask for from a fourth line.

Paul Byron, Eric Staal and Joel Armia are the healthy scratches in this lineup, but any one of them could step in to this lineup to give Lehkonen or Evans a night off.

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