Montreal Canadiens 4 Lines of Offense a Key to Success
Examining how the Montreal Canadiens bottom six have transformed their offensive woes from last season.
Last season the Montreal Canadiens offense was horrendous, to say the least. They went through stretches of games were it seemed like it took everything that they had, just too dump the puck out of their own zone and change up the lines. This led to other teams calling the Canadiens “fragile“.
This season the Canadiens are no longer looking like the same fragile group from last season. The Habs are playing the game with confidence and speed. It also helps to have their MVP goalie back, in Carey Price who has the ability to calm everything down for the team.
Offensive Attack
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The Habs however have been attacking through the early part of the season. The Canadiens are currently scoring 3.63 goals per game to start the season. This is up from the 2.63 goals per game they scored last season.
Obviously the teams new additions, like Shea Weber and Alexander Radulov, have helped lead the charge in scoring. Weber currently leads the Habs with six assists and nine points in eight games. However the Habs have been able to score in a very balanced way this season.
Four Scoring Lines
The Canadiens have been able to roll out four scoring lines through the beginning of the season. The teams current leading scorers are Brendan Gallagher and Torrey Mitchell, and each have 4 goals.
Gallagher is the one you would expect to be among the leading scores on the team, but Mitchell is not who you would expect. Mitchell is a permanent fix and the fourth line and is best suited for defensive situations but he has been able to provide offensive spark for the Canadiens.
Mitchell isn’t the only one in the bottom lines that has been able to provide scoring. Speedy forward Paul Byron has also played outstanding to start the year, scoring five points in eight games. Byron has even been moved to the first line at times in the Canadiens last two wins.
Phillip Danault has also come up with some very timely goals for the Habs. Rookie forward Artturi Lehkonen has provided offensive spark as he has scored two goals, but he is also finding lots of opportunity to shoot. Lehkonen currently sits third on the team in shots with 21.
Moving Forward
With all of these players providing a spark, it has taken the pressure off the teams top line to produce. So many times in the past opposing teams would put their best defensive players against the Canadiens top line. With the other three bottom lines unable to score the game was left in the hands of Carey Price to be perfect.
This season however feels and looks much different. With all of the scoring that has come from their four forward lines the Habs look poised for dominance. Hopefully the scoring doesn’t dry up and the Habs continue their offensive output.
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