The Montreal Canadiens have long leaned on their dynamic top line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky to carry them through games. This season, while the trio is enjoying career-best performances, the Canadiens have also benefitted from a previously reliable second line. However, that secondary scoring has recently dried up, contributing to a challenging stretch where Montreal has only secured four wins in nine March games.
This scoring slump couldn't have come at a worse time. With 14 games left, the Canadiens find themselves in a tight race for the third spot in the Atlantic Division, locked in a three-way tie with 84 points.
Their upcoming matchup against the New York Islanders, who sit just a point behind, is crucial. A loss could push Montreal out of playoff contention, making it essential for them to resolve their scoring woes to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Rookies Hitting a Wall
The Canadiens' earlier surge in secondary scoring was largely fueled by rookies Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen. Demidov, tied for the rookie scoring lead with 52 points, and Kapanen, second in rookie goals with 20, have both hit a rough patch.
Demidov has managed just five points in his last 10 games, while Kapanen has netted only two goals in the same span. This decline is likely due to the infamous "rookie wall," as neither has played a season this long before.
Demidov's previous high was 65 games, and Kapanen's was 55.
The situation wasn't helped by the reshuffling of Slafkovsky to the first line, removing a key playmaker from their side. Reuniting the "Kid Line" seems unlikely, given the stellar performance of Suzuki, Caufield, and Slafkovsky together. The Canadiens are banking on their rookies finding a second wind as they make a final push for the playoffs.
Bottom-Six Scoring Needs a Boost
Currently, Montreal boasts five players with over 50 points-Suzuki, Caufield, Lane Hutson, Slafkovsky, and Demidov-with Noah Dobson on the cusp at 45 points. Beyond them, there's a steep drop-off, with Mike Matheson and Kapanen trailing at 33 points, and Zachary Bolduc next with 26. This lack of depth scoring wasn't a glaring issue when two lines were firing on all cylinders, but now it’s a significant concern.
The Canadiens attempted to send a wake-up call by scratching Brendan Gallagher against the San Jose Sharks, hoping to rest him and signal that underperformance wouldn't be tolerated. Unfortunately, this move hasn't had the desired effect, as the team has dropped three of their last four games.
If the scoring drought continues, they might need to shake things up again. Meanwhile, Patrik Laine is waiting in the wings, eager to prove he can contribute.
As the Canadiens face the Islanders, the pressure is on. Another loss could escalate the urgency in Montreal, making it imperative for the team to rediscover their scoring touch and stabilize their playoff position.