The Montreal Canadiens faced off against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night, presenting an ideal opportunity for Martin St-Louis’ squad to build some momentum. While the Habs have shown improved defensive play recently, their offense has unfortunately declined as the defense has strengthened.
Prior to the game, the Canadiens paid tribute to former captain Shea Weber by inducting him into the team’s ring of honour. Weber, who was honored just days after his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, is celebrated for his dominance with Team Canada and his esteemed reputation in the NHL. Additionally, David Savard was announced as absent from the game, allowing Jayden Struble the opportunity to participate rather than watch from the press box.
The Canadiens delivered one of their best performances of the season, taking an early lead and ultimately securing a convincing 5-1 victory.
If you’re looking to engage in a lively discussion about the Habs, don’t forget to join me for Game Over, accessible via this link.
Now, let’s explore the key highlights!
**Strong Start**
We’ve often critiqued the Canadiens’ lack of preparation for games, making their start against the Blue Jackets quite promising. While Columbus had a slight edge in shots, the high-danger chances were even, and the Canadiens demonstrated better accuracy, getting 16 shots on goal— their best first period results this season.
Notably, the Habs scored first!
Mike Matheson netted his first goal of the season with a powerplay strike, showcasing the team’s improved man-advantage efficiency. Juraj Slafkovsky also deserves credit for creating chaos in front of the opposing net, even if he didn’t register a point. Despite Matheson’s goal and the Canadiens’ resurgence on the powerplay after years of struggle, some fans are calling for Lane Hutson to be included on the top unit.
I do see some merit in this notion.
Hutson is likely to take over the first powerplay unit eventually, possibly next season. Currently, he is the most active player for the Canadiens and among the busiest defensemen in the league. His skill set is well-suited for powerplays, and he has already demonstrated his ability.
Allowing him more time at 5-on-5 can help him refine his defensive positioning, particularly against teams cycling in the Habs’ zone.
I respect this strategy, especially considering Hutson is a rookie not yet accustomed to the rigors of an 82-game season, as the NCAA season is roughly half that length. St-Louis understands the physical demands of a full NHL season and likely has concerns about the ice time allotted to the youngest defenseman on the roster.
It’s important to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint.
In light of other lineup challenges, I’d argue that the debate over the Matheson/Hutson powerplay unit is somewhat overblown.
**Heavyweight Tilt**
We haven’t seen Arber Xhekaj engage in fights as frequently as last season, and that’s completely fine. Alongside Jayden Struble, Xhekaj possesses underlying numbers that suggest he positively impacts the ice when playing. Concerns about the effectiveness of the third pairing are somewhat exaggerated.
Nonetheless, an organized fight occurred Saturday when Xhekaj battled Mathieu Olivier. While the fight might have gone to the Blue Jackets forward, Xhekaj displayed resilience by standing firm despite heavy blows landed by Olivier.
**Montreal Canadiens Captain’s Call**
The first line seemed effective in the initial stages, but St-Louis opted to shake things up by moving Juraj Slafkovsky to the fourth line and elevating Joel Armia to play with Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach.
I’m not entirely on board with the demotion, nor do I think Armia warranted a promotion, but the brief shake-up proved fruitful when Suzuki scored his seventh goal of the season shortly thereafter. Slafkovsky has been decent, albeit a bit hesitant; he’s improving at driving the play but has struggled with shot selection and finding quality scoring opportunities.
Importantly, Slafkovsky returned to the top line in the third period, indicating that St-Louis’ move was more of a message than an outright demotion.
Suzuki’s goal allowed him to maintain a point-per-game pace this season, a notable achievement for someone who often faces significant critique in Montreal, especially fitting on a night the team honored their former captain.
**Insurance Goals? In This Economy?**
Although the Habs held a one-goal lead, we know their defensive frailties can make it precarious, regardless of momentum. Thankfully, Lucas Condotta added his second NHL goal, providing the Canadiens much-needed breathing room. While Condotta may never win major awards, witnessing a determined player achieve their NHL dreams with an important goal is one of the greatest joys in hockey.
