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Montreal Canadiens: Joshua Roy’s Confidence Is Increasing Quickly

By Tyler Major-Mcnicol |
Montreal Canadiens v New Jersey Devils
Montreal Canadiens v New Jersey Devils / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages
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Montreal Canadiens 2020 fifth-round selection Joshua Roy has played just two games ahead of the Devils - Habs matchup on Wednesday night.

He was timid and seemed to second guess himself against the Oilers against the Avalanche. Roy wasn’t bad by any stretch, but he was trying to adjust to the speed and skill. Not many can say that they played their first two NHL games against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl - then Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. 

That is some pretty heavy lifting to start your career in the show, and Roy hasn’t looked out of place. With each shift, he seems to make cleaner reads and process plays a little quicker. He has elite playmaking skills and his puck skills fuel an array of different passes. 

As his confidence grows, the little things that he did so well in Laval will start to show. He has a great shot; which he takes advantage of with smart positioning. If he gets lost in the offensive zone, he has a shot that will devastate goalies.

Roy Pressing For Goal No. 1 On Wednesday Night

Roy is looking to follow Jayden Struble who got the callup and was too good to send back down to Laval. Each game that no. 89 has played, and there has been an increase in his willingness to activate on offence and battle on the forecheck. He plays a very mature two-way game, opening up many offensive opportunities.

Against the Devils, Roy had a huge start to his third NHL game. According to Sportsnet, Roy had two shots in the opening period. It appears that somebody told him to get involved in the offence because he looks primed for a big goal. 

If the shots indicate anything; it’s that Roy is feeling more comfortable and his skills are starting to take over. He was put in a position with Sean Monahan and Joel Armia, where he is insulated and can try different things offensively. Roy is learning on the fly, and at a steady pace. 

I think it would make a lot of sense to let Roy stay up and keep proving himself with the Habs. He is undoubtedly part of the bright future. So playing him in the top nine is good for the player, but also allows the coaching staff to assess his game. 

If his steady play remains consistent, it will be only a matter of time before he cracks the scoresheet. I was hoping it would come on home ice - his first NHL goal. But a tally against the Devils has a nice ring to it. 

At the end of the second period, Roy registered another shot and a hit. And he was a thorn in the Devil’s side on forecheck and backcheck. The rookie’s line didn’t have any easy assignments; as Martin St. Louis rolled his lines.

Numero Uno For Roy

Montreal Canadiens v New Jersey Devils
Montreal Canadiens v New Jersey Devils / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Roy notched his first NHL goal on his fourth shot of the game, at 5:15 of the middle frame. He broke in with Monahan, who outwaited Daws, then slid a pass to Roy. Roy caught Daws going one way, and he fired the puck against the grain to the twine. 

You could feel that something was going to happen. Either he would set up a nice play resulting in a goal. Or, he would score, because he just kept doing all the little things effectively. 

It doesn’t look like Roy has any plans of going back to Laval. He looks comfortable, and his AHL stint was perfect for his development. Adapting to the rigours of the professional game, before getting an NHL taste has paid off for the former QMJHL star. St. Louis made sure to congratulate him.

Wrapping Up Roy’s Memorable Night

Roy’s tally put the Habs up by two goals. This was important, especially considering Nick Suzuki’s four-minute minor for high sticking. Luke Hughes struck before the first two minutes of the powerplay were old. 

Roy’s marker kept the Canadiens ahead by one, albeit briefly - until Alexander Holtz scored the game-tying goal in the remaining two minutes of the man advantage. With a blown two-goal lead, and Suzuki licking his wounds, the Habs need some air back in their sails.

Roy has five shots registered, and his fifth was very close to being a goal. If not for a shot block by a Devils defender, that slowed it down. Caufield notched the eventual game-winner. 

In a 3-2 win, Roy finished with a goal, five shots, one block and one hit in 12:32 of ice time. It might be time to consider increasing his ice time. He seems to do good things with the minutes he has played thus far. 

Craig Button said it, and watching his play I see it. Joshua Roy is a top six NHL talent. 

If the Canadiens have him on their third line with say Owen Beck and Filip Mesar/Jesse Ylonen/Emil Heineman, the Habs depth will be strong. Add in a top 20 forward talent in the 2024 Draft and the Canadiens aren’t looking too bad on offence. 

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