Kirby Dach finishes 2024 on a hot streak

The Montreal Canadiens ended 2024 winning six of their last seven games, and Kirby Dach has scored three goals in as many games.

it's been a long and frustrating journey back to where he wants to be, but Dach has continued to push through. The end of the calendar year saw him piece together good stretches of hockey over the last handful of games. Perhaps turning to 2025 can be a new chapter, one where he leaves the frustration and struggles in the past and the team comes together to do something special.

I believe that with Dach at his best, he and Patrik Laine could form a very good duo and even if Alex Newhook isn't the long-term fit on the line, oh well. I think if they can make it work for the rest of the year, Ivan Demidov will be a likely option to fill the spot. I'm just spitballing, and head coach Martin St. Louis will decide the lines, but if they can do their thing this season, next season they will have a massive addition.

Back to Dach though, who seems to be refinding some confidence; considering that you can see him trying to do more with the puck. His one-on-one skill is very high, but he has been hesitant; and as that has dissipated, Dach has been trying different things. His goal against the Vegas Golden Knights was meant to be a pass, but he displayed what he can do nevertheless.

These are plays that will determine how you are feeling about your game if the puck bobbles - it's generally reflective of overthinking. Dach just made the play, he didn't think about it, he just executed the move. A young and confident group is what the end goal is here, and Dach breaking away from his rust will help the cause.

He ended 2024 on a high note, but he also had a strong outing against the Florida Panthers on December 28. Dach opened the scoring in the first period, with his first of two goals in the game, doubling his season total. Dach fired him a cross-crease feed from Alex Newhook past Panthers goaltender Spencer Knight.

Dach whiffed on the shot a little bit, but he got enough of the puck to get the Habs on the board against the defending Stanley Cup champions. It's encouraging to see Dach taking the right routes, and being in the spots to capitalize. I think if he was sort of lost on the ice, then that is a cause for concern, but it's more about executing his plays.

It's not a contest, but if it were, the prettier of Dach's two goals was the tally that put the Habs up by two goals. Dach was skating through the neutral zone, and thanks to a forced turnover; Newhook sent him in on a breakaway. With his move planned, Dach faked to the forehand and finished backhand upstairs on Knight.

It's great to see Dach finding some traction, because it wasn't easy to watch him do everything to succeed and having things not working out for him.

38 in 58 in 2022-23

At this juncture it doesn't seem likely that Dach will post a new career high in points, as he has just 12 points through 37 games this season. Dach scored 38 points through 58 games during the 2022-2023 season, a mark that he remain as his best to date. Dach would need to score 26 points over the Habs next 45 games to match it.

I think a huge thing for confidence will be to continue to grow his own game while finding chemistry with Laine. If he can start making plays regularly, the assists should pile up; you know, with Laine shooting the puck. With the Canadiens growing, Laine finding his game and Dach doing the same, the environment is perfect for growth.

I think that Dach could easily have a 50-point season if all goes well, you don't want to put too much pressure though. I think a realistic total for Dach to finish with, would be if he scored 30-35 points over the next 45 games. This would require him to steadily continue improving and making an impact, but I think the Habs and Dach are ready to turn a corner.

We will see what 2025 brings, but I think the Habs are working towards something special.