The Montreal Canadiens are finding success this season and while much of it is due to the often spectacular play of goaltender Carey Price, the team has been finding ways to win with different players stepping up on a nightly basis and the ability to roll four lines. Despite leading the NHL with 28 points through 17 games played, there are those who are quick to point out the deficiencies of the Canadiens. That they need another top four defenseman or a true number two centerman if Tomas Plekanec is no longer able to consistently produce in that role. However, it looks like management and coaches are content to use their patchwork quilt of a roster as long as the Canadiens continue to play well for the most part and win.
Each player represents a different patch of the Canadiens quilt yet they come together and understand one another’s roles. Is Alexei Emelin a number two defenseman? Certainly not. Yet matched with Shea Weber he is playing some of his best and most consistent hockey of his career. If Emelin should falter, Nathan Beaulieu has shown that he has the capability to step up and play left of Weber. Price was sick to start the season and Al Montoya stepped up to lead the team in the crease. Paul Byron might very well go down as being one of the best waiver wire pickups in Canadiens history. That still does not make him a first line player although he is doing his best to prolong his stay there. David Desharnais struggling at center? Phillip Danault was ready to step in. Max Pacioretty, the team’s best left winger and highest scorer over the last five seasons has been asked to play on the third line. Did he pout? Not for a second.
For now, the players have all bought into the team’s system and philosophy. They understand their role and that the team’s success is more important than their own. Price has for the most part been other worldly in his starts. Weber has come as advertised and then some. Alex Galchenyuk has continued to blossom into a true first line center. Players also know that their opportunity will come for added ice time if they are proving themselves worthy of it. Desharnais was scratched in favour of Danault a week ago. The ultimate team player, he understood that he needed to be better. Given the opportunity to play left wing in their last game he was likely the Canadiens best forward, contributing a goal and an assist. Can he do that on a nightly basis? It does not appear that way anymore. However, that is not to say that Desharnais does not have the ability to play and find a way to help the team win on occasion.
Alexander Radulov was sick for the Canadiens 4-3 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers and the lines went into disarray. However, they still managed to score three goals which is usually enough for Price to hold the fort and win the game. Chris Terry impressed in his first game as a Canadiens and saw time on the power play. As Radulov is still ill and will not travel with the team to Carolina today, Terry will have an opportunity to face his former Hurricanes teammates tomorrow night in Raleigh, North Carolina. Al Montoya is expected to get the start on the front end of another back to back. I'll have a full game preview on Friday.
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