Canadiens: Analyzing What Habs Veteran Laden Third Line Brings

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The Montreal Canadiens have put an onus on keeping the younger players together, rather than insulating them. This clearly indicates that expectations for the best offensive players are high, and management wants to watch them get to work.

On Monday the Canadiens practiced in Brossard, before making their final two cuts, just two days ahead of their regular season debut clash against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

While having some insurance insulation will be an important factor for the younger guys, and while the Canadiens didn’t put veterans with the under-23 players, they did ice an interesting third line. Sean Monahan centred a line between two veteran wingers, Tanner Pearson on the left wing, and Brendan Gallagher on the right. This line might not sound too interesting, but there’s a good chance that they become a very important trio.

Not only do they provide a veteran presence in a young lineup, but they also provide the team with a line that will give the opposition headaches each and every night. The trio has a nice blend of tenacity, high hockey IQ and responsible two-way play. They also complement one another offensively, Monahan is the shooter, but he also loves to screen the goalie and deflect point shots, Gallagher’s office is in and around the net, and he has no problem mixing it up with defenders, and Pearson is a bit of an unknown to Habs fans, but he has the Stanley Cup pedigree, and he plays the game the right way, he is a solid playmaker and he will help Monahan to ensure the line is responsible.

I love the fact that they were all put together after the young top six, and they bring some nice veteran leadership and presence to help Nick Suzuki lead the team through the rebuild. As mentioned Pearson is the new shiny piece and hasn’t really introduced himself to the Habs’ faithful yet, but given that his two linemates are smart and easy to play with, his strengths will only enhance the line. What are those strengths though, well that’s exactly where I will start in this exercise with the newest part of the line.

Tanner Pearson

Coming over from the Vancouver Canucks, Tanner Pearson brings a Stanley Cup ring and adds some experience to the young roster. The speedy skater shouldn’t be mistaken for a goalscorer, however, his quick skating and great hockey sense make him a versatile player who has an innate ability to be in the right place at the right time.

He could prove to be an underrated acquisition from the Canucks, whose a consummate professional and leader in the locker room.

He hasn’t managed more than 14 goals in a season since his 21-goal year in 2019-20. So the expectations for him to be a 20-goal producer aren’t exactly there, and that’s okay. That would be an ideal scenario if he can chip in 30-35 points on the third line and contribute to the Habs special teams unit.

The Canadiens are rebuilding, but the team wants to win games, and having the presence in the lineup that comes with the Stanley Cup-winning pedigree can’t be replicated. Pearson has won, and the knowledge gained from doing it will help him have a calming effect to help push the team through the tougher times.

His importance will go far beyond his point totals, but the line he is going to be a part of could be just what he needed to have one of his best seasons production-wise.

Sean Monahan

Sean Monahan was acquired from the Calgary Flames who were looking to clear out contracts. He had a great start with the Habs but ran into injury trouble. Now, with a full offseason to get healthy, and prepare for his second year in Montreal, Monahan has a big year ahead of him.

His strength down the middle gives his line the advantage of starting with the puck, and because of the intelligence and determination of his linemates, they could helm teams in their own zone using the cycle to wear them down.

Monahan is great in front of the net, and Gallagher loves to shoot early and often, while always rushing the net, which will be a pain in opposing goalies’ necks. Monahan can shoot and pass, just as well as he can defend and steal pucks, so if he can work the give-and-go with Pearson, while Gallagher sets up shop in his office, the trio could have great success on the scoresheet.

Kirby Dach and Nick Suzuki are the sexier options at centre, but Monahan has the experience and smarts to be one of the best third-line centres in the entire NHL.

The special thing about Monahan is that he is a quiet leader, while still doing all the little things right when he is on the ice. He is a great mentor to the younger centres and allows the top two centres to do their thing offensively, he can stun teams, if they take him lightly.

This line could see a lot of moving parts, but I don’t see Monahan moving positions, but staying where he is to help insulate some of the Habs’ younger wingers, because he has the ability to slow things down for his linemates.

Brendan Gallagher

Brendan Gallagher…There is so much to say about him, but everybody already knows it. He has earned every minute of ice time the exact same way, working his tail off and doing the same simple things consistently for the benefit of the team. If he can stay healthy, it’s hard to bet against him scoring 20 goals, and maybe, 10-15 assists in ’24.

Gallagher is as versatile as his two linemates, and that in large part is because he plays the same way, regardless of who his linemates are. He has never been a huge presence physically but has continued to be effective in front of the opposing goalie, because he knows how to create havoc in the crease. The net front drive is a regular play for Gallagher, and because of that, Monahan and Pearson will benefit from the time and space, and increase the Canadiens goals for numbers.

The effectiveness of having a line that is just downright hard to play against, no matter what zone the puck is in, is an essential part of a winning lineup. This line will be just that, and Gallagher’s heart and big motor will be a huge reason for it. Being in the middle of everything is a great compliment to any forward, and these three all have that ability, and great transitional skills and instincts to create offence from defensive quickly.

They might not be the most exciting line or the line that impacts the game the most, but this line feels like it could be a massive complement to the Canadiens’ other three lines. Amid all the youth on the roster and vying for a spot, this line should remain intact, and their game footage should be reviewed in a teaching capacity. The effectiveness and importance of this line will go beyond on-ice play, and they will be great mentors on the bench.

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