Discipline continues to be the Canadiens' biggest hurdle

The Montreal Canadiens fell to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night in a tightly contested game. However, the Canadiens ultimately took themselves out of the running when Brendan Gallagher was called for slashing as the team trailed by a goal late. With 12 penalty minutes and two power-play goals against, this loss felt all too familiar, another game where the Canadiens beat themselves.

Discipline has been a persistent issue for the Canadiens during their rebuilding phase, and it has only worsened over the past three seasons. Last season, Montreal spent 825 minutes in the penalty box, the seventh-most in the league. For a rebuilding team, slow progress is expected, but some signs of improvement should still be evident. Instead, the Canadiens' lack of discipline continues to hold them back. After Saturday's game, they rank third in the league for penalties taken, a glaring factor behind the team's lack of progress from last season.

Ranking among the top three in penalty minutes is a recipe for losses, and this has been especially true for the Montreal Canadiens. In the first period against the Jets, the Canadiens had all the momentum until a high-sticking call on Kirby Dach led to a power-play equalizer. Like many of their penalties, it was an undisciplined mistake, with Dach lazily caught with his stick in the air. How will Coach Martin St. Louis address an issue that has worsened during his tenure? Rebuilding teams like the Canadiens already face an uphill battle competing with top-tier opponents, making it crucial to eliminate self-inflicted errors. Without greater discipline, the team risks stagnating not just this season, but throughout their rebuild.

Defending the power play four to six times a game is both deflating and disruptive for a young team trying to implement its game plan. Constantly deploying the penalty-killing unit eats into the ice time of the Canadiens' star players, such as Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, who rarely play shorthanded. This not only reduces opportunities for the team’s primary goal-scorers but also disrupts their shift rhythm, leading to confusion on the bench and making it harder for the team to establish any offensive flow.

What needs to change?

Part of the Canadiens’ penalty troubles can be attributed to their lack of experience, not only on the ice but behind the bench as well. With one of the youngest rosters in the NHL, mistakes are inevitable and even expected as players adjust to the league's pace. However, inexperience should not be an excuse when discussing the team's lack of discipline. Accountability, both from the players and Coach Martin St. Louis must play a larger role. While St. Louis is still relatively new to NHL coaching, he must adapt his approach to instill greater discipline. As a former player, he has the tools to teach these young athletes, so it's time for these lessons to manifest in their discipline. If the Canadiens want to take the next step in their rebuild, both players and coaching staff need to take responsibility for eliminating the self-inflicted mistakes that have plagued them during St. Louis' tenure.

The Montreal Canadiens’ ongoing struggles with penalties are a significant roadblock in their rebuild. With a young roster and a coaching staff still finding its footing, undisciplined mistakes continue to cost them games. If the Canadiens hope to make meaningful progress this season and beyond, eliminating these self-inflicted errors must be a top priority.