During the playoffs last season, one of the glaring differences between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals was how much more production the Capitals got outside of their top line. The Canadiens shouldn't have that issue this year with the emergence of the "Kid Line".
In the five games against the Capitals, the Canadiens' top line of Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield combined for seven goals, with the rest of the team combining for only five goals. The only other player who had more than one goal was Christian Dvorak, with only two.
This season, though, Montreal is finding scoring up and down the lines due in large part to the success of the line of Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, and Oliver Kapanen. According to MoneyPuck, this line is actually leading the Canadiens in Goals For with 19, and it isn't even close. The next closest line has only 11 Goals For this season.
Their production was on display against the Vancouver Canucks as they combined for two goals and five assists as they helped the Canadiens secure a 6-3 victory on Monday night.
The emergence of the Kid Line takes pressure off Montreal Canadiens entering the trade deadline
The Montreal Canadiens needed more production outside of their top line, and they took a little bit of a gamble by not really bringing in any big-name forwards. The biggest move was the trade for Noah Dobson, and he has helped in this area with nine goals already this season.
However, the hope for improvement among the forwards was pinned on the younger players, and they have delivered. When considering the depth the Canadiens now possess, especially given how well this line is performing, it takes pressure off Kent Hughes heading into the trade deadline.
The move to improve scoring goes from being a pressing need to an area of opportunity, but if they don't find a trade, it doesn't really set them back. On top of that, the Canadiens are going to have to find places in the lineup for Jake Evans, Kirby Dach, and Patrik Laine once they are ready to return.
This is a great problem to have, but regardless of how they approach it, one thing is for certain: this Kid Line of Slafkovsky, Demidov, and Kapanen is going to be key for Montreal going into the playoffs.