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Montreal Canadiens: How Many Habs Will Score 20 Goals This Season?

By Tyler Major-Mcnicol

MONTREAL, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Nick Suzuki #14, Kirby Dach #77 and Cole Caufield #22 of the Montreal Canadiens huddle during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Centre Bell on November 29, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Nick Suzuki #14, Kirby Dach #77 and Cole Caufield #22 of the Montreal Canadiens huddle during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at Centre Bell on November 29, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Mar 9, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports /

Josh Anderson

Josh Anderson has hovered around the 20-goal plateau over the last two seasons, with 21 last season, and 19 in 2021-22. He played 69 games over the last two years, and it’s a good bet that he will reach at least the same number, hopefully more. 20 goals is basically his sweet spot, and if he can stay healthy, he could have his best year yet.

His best goal output was 27 goals in 2018-19 while with the Columbus Blue Jackets, which is definitely not very recent. However, there are a lot of young guys coming along, who will likely slot in with Anderson, and keep pace on the rush, which will be a positive notch in his offensive tool belt. An uptick in play should be on the horizon, and there’s nobody else on the team that can put defenders on their heels every time he rushes the puck, which will open up space for speedier linemates, Newhook specifically.

Health and consistency will be the biggest challenge, which is normal league-wide, but with an optimistic mind, Anderson will be on the same line throughout the year, and have time to form chemistry with the same linemates, which should translate to lots of scoring chances. Anderson, like Gallagher is a straight line kind of player, and you can expect him to consistently drive the puck to the net and create space for his linemates or himself, to use his shot.

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