The Montreal Canadiens are off to a troubling start to the 2021-22 season. After a run to the Stanley Cup Final just three months ago, the team had high expectations coming into the season.
Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to translate that into a hot start. After three games, the team find itself winless, falling to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers thus far.
A big reason for their lack of success is their offence, as they have just three goals combined in their three games. There is, however, a reason for optimism on that front.
Mike Hoffman is likely to make his Habs debut tonight. The goal scoring winger signed a three year contract in the offseason with the Canadiens and is expected to bring plenty of goals to Montreal. Since becoming a full time NHL player in 2014-15, Hoffman has scored 186 goals in 516 games, which is a hair under 30 goals per 82 games played.
At the age of 31, he may not reach his career high of 36 again, but there is no question he is being counted on for 25-30 goals this season.
Hoffman is especially dangerous on the power play. The new Habs winger is fifth in the league in power play goals dating back to the 2015-16 season. He trailed just Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, Leon Draisaitl and David Pastrnak in that category.
The good news for Habs fans is we should see that scoring threat in the Canadiens lineup for the first time when they face the San Jose Sharks tonight.
Hoffman was skating on a line with Brendan Gallagher and Adam Brooks at practice yesterday and head coach Dominique Ducharme was quite optimistic about his chances of playing tonight.
We could also see Brooks make his Habs debut after being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs to begin the season.
The Hoffman debut comes when the Habs really need it. They simply can’t score and their power play looks awful. They need a pure goal scorer like Hoffman to step into the lineup and create something out of nothing in the offensive zone.
It sounds like we will get to see that happen tonight. Hopefully it leads to the team’s first win.