Canadiens: Christian Dvorak Becoming Important Part Of Lineup

Rewind to the beginning of the season and it’s an understatement that Christian Dvorak was strugging to find his spot with the Montreal Canadiens.

Acquired for a 1st round pick this past summer after Marc Bergevin and company let Jesperi Kotkaniemi walk to Carolina, Dvorak was brought in to stabilize the 2nd line behind Nick Suzuki, now that Philip Danault took his talents to sunny California.

Dvorak had already established himself as a decent to good centerman with the Arizona Coyotes. Playing mostly with 3rd and 4th line wingers, he managed to average himself 15 goals and at least 30 points per season, with career highs in goals (18) and points (38) during the 2019-20 season.

Fans were quick to react to the price of a first round pick in return for Dvorak but the argument stated it was the price to pay for someone who has yet to show his full potential and has a team friendly contract locked up – 3 years left at a $4.45 million cap hit.

Dvorak ended up doing what the majority of players not named Nick Suzuki did – played poorly, looked completely lost and got injured.

Fast forward to about a month ago when Dvorak return from injury and, like the majority of players also named Nick Suzuki, found a new found pleasure of playing the game of hockey under new head coach Martin St. Louis.

Not only has Dvorak performed on the scoresheet, having amassed 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points in his last 12 games, but he has been an integral piece to Brendan Gallagher’s reinvention of sorts.

Gallagher has been told by Martin St. Louis that he can’t play the way he used to anymore. The injury prone winger needs to change his game around and utilize his energy most sparringly and more intelligently.

Dvorak and Gallagher were put together on a line more often than not completed by Joel Armia and the duo have worked amazingly together. Not only does Dvorak finally have the chance to show his skills and have worthy wingers, but Gallagher embraced his new role and now has a goal and 4 assists for 5 points in the last 7 games since returning from injury.

As we witness the development of Gallagher 2.0, we’re also witnessing the real Christian Dvorak. A responsible centerman who can be deadly at even strength and who finally seems to have gotten out of his shell and become a true team player. He and Joel Edmundson were the ones who took Jordan Harris out when the rookie joined the team in Florida.

Dvorak and Gallagher on a third line pairing can work wonders for years to come if Kent Hughes and Martin St. Louis finds the right left winger to compliment the duo.

Gallagher of course got the fire re-ignited even more after the whole Tim Stützle incident during the Canadiens’ last game against the Ottawa Senators.

The focus in the offseason will then be of who will be the team’s second line centerman. Josh Anderson will need someone to feed him in order to return to “Power Horse” form as he has proven to be too inconsistent, as most power forwards are, in trying to follow the dynamic duo of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.

Despite his recent success, Jake Evans is punching above his weight on the 2nd line, while Ryan Poehling is still trying to find his game at the NHL level.

Meanwhile it’s great to see Dvorak fit in with the club and becoming an important piece to this Canadiens team’s puzzle.

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