The excitement surrounding the Montreal Canadiens' debut this season was valid for many reasons. Their successful 2024 draft and the acquisition of Patrik Laine were at the top of the list, but an under-the-radar reason was Kirby Dach's return from injury and Juraj Slafkovsky's emergence. Dach and Slafkovsky aren't the only reasons for the Canadiens' struggles this season, but their play certainly isn't helping, which is why the coaching staff will teach the pair a lesson against the Utah Hockey Club.
Kenzie Lalonde reported from the Canadiens morning skate that Slafkovsky and Dach were on the fourth line during line rushes. You can look at Lalonde's post and say the Slafkovsky-Dach-Joel Armia line looks more like a second line than a fourth line compared to the second and third lines listed. However, the coaching staff made it a point to have the trio doing their drills as the fourth in line.
Canadiens forward pairings at morning skate:
— Kenzie Lalonde (@KenzieTSN) November 26, 2024
Caufield - Suzuki - Newhook
Anderson - Dvorak - Gallagher
Heineman - Evans - Roy
Slafkovsky - Dach - Armia#Habs #Utah
Slafkovsky has just one goal and ten assists in 17 games this season. He started the year on a tear with one goal and six assists in seven games but couldn't regain that form after returning from an injury. He had two assists in three games after returning but has just three in his past eight games. Three of those assists came in the same 7-5 win against the Buffalo Sabres.
Slafkovsky's competitive level is one concern the Canadiens have. He hasn't had a game with more than two shots since his third game back from injury and has done it just twice in 17 games. Slafkovsky was supposed to be a dominant force for the Canadiens this season, but he looks disengaged.
Dach has been having an even poorer year. He has just one goal and seven assists in 20 games. It hasn't been a good stretch for him, as he has just three assists in the last 11 games. Like Slafkovsky, Dach isn't getting enough quality scoring chances. He has two or fewer shots in 12 consecutive games. The last time he had more than two shots in a game was against the St. Louis Blues on October 26, which was also the site of his only goal of the season.
Martin St. Louis hopes the fourth line designation will be a wakeup call for the young pair. The question is if it doesn't serve it's purpose, will they next find themselves in the press box?