The Montreal Canadiens have already experienced a significant change to their roster just three games into the season. Kirby Dach has suffered a serious injury, and now it’s time to see how the rest of the team adjusts. In their first test, the Minnesota Wild visited the Bell Centre, and the Canadiens struggled, losing 5-2 with their special teams performing poorly once again.
The storyline surrounding the Canadiens revolves around General Manager Kent Hughes acquiring Sean Monahan last season with the intention of turning him around and trading him for a high draft pick. Monahan showed promise in his performance for 20 games until he got injured. Hughes decided to keep Monahan on the team for another season, hoping for a successful turnaround. He also added Tanner Pearson, who has the potential to fetch a high draft pick at the trading deadline if he stays healthy. So far, Pearson has been impressive in a Canadiens uniform, showcasing his strong shot and dedicated gameplay. His goal against Minnesota was reminiscent of his performance on Saturday night against Chicago. Pearson’s size, skill, and NHL experience make him an attractive player to have in the playoffs.
Hughes has demonstrated his ability to recognize talent at the NHL level by acquiring Dach and Mike Matheson. The move to acquire Matheson is particularly impressive, considering Jeff Petry was a healthy scratch in the previous game, and Matheson is currently playing the best hockey of his career. Dach has been recognized for his top-six potential, while Alexander Romanov has been assessed as a solid second pair defender. Hughes may have pulled off another successful move this off-season by acquiring Alex Newhook, who has already scored three goals. Hughes likes to find highly-touted players who haven’t reached their full potential or haven’t been given a fair opportunity yet. While it’s still early, the early signs are promising.
The Canadiens have struggled in terms of special teams for quite some time, and the absence of Andrei Markov has been felt. The arrival of Lane Hutson, a creative wizard who set records during his time at Boston University, is eagerly anticipated. Hutson’s ability to navigate the blue line, beat checkers, and find options is reminiscent of Markov, and he has the potential to revive the power play, which has been lacking for almost a decade. However, the power play was not just ineffective against Minnesota; it also cost the Canadiens the game within 25 seconds of the first period. The team seemed deflated after the loss of Dach, and they lacked energy and motivation.
While the Canadiens have performed well in 5-on-5 situations, with eight goals to their name compared to two for their opponents, they have struggled when they have a player advantage or disadvantage. They have allowed five power play goals, two shorthanded goals, and three goals with the goalie pulled. This statistic is quite unusual and unlikely to continue in the long run. It is rare for a team to be dominant at even strength but struggle in other situations.
The injuries plaguing the Canadiens feel like something out of a Dickensian tale. After suffering numerous injuries last season, it’s disappointing to see Kirby Dach already facing a significant injury this early in the season. Dach’s absence affects the entire team as he was responsible for filling out the roster and had a significant impact on the ice. His absence will be felt, particularly by Juraj Slafkovsky, who had formed a strong partnership with Dach.
Despite the setback, the Canadiens can take solace in the fact that the rest of the players can continue to develop in the NHL. The young defensemen gain valuable experience, and the head coach can continue to instill his philosophy in the team. This season was always intended to be a building year rather than a breakout playoff year, so the focus remains on development. The only concern is that Dach’s growth as a player may be stunted due to his injury. It is crucial for his surgery and rehab to go well so that he can return to his previous form. While there may be more losses without Dach, there are still positives to look forward to, such as the outstanding performance of the young defensemen, the promising play of Alex Newhook, and the return of a healthy Sean Monahan. Difficult times may seem prolonged, but they do not last forever. Eventually, things will improve and better times will come for the Canadiens.
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