February 12, 2024
In the week after the All-Star break, the Montreal Canadiens had three games on tap. On Tuesday night, the Habs defeated the Washington Capitals in convincing fashion, with a final score of 5-2. The Dallas Stars were in town for a Saturday matinee, and the Habs lost 3-2 in a good effort. Then on Sunday afternoon, the Habs greeted the St. Louis Blues and suffered an ugly 7-2 loss.
The kids showed up in the first game post Sean Monahan and made a statement.
We all saw Nick Suzuki at the All-Star game, fresh after learning that Sean Monahan had been dealt to the Winnipeg Jets. The trade had been expected, but Monahan was popular in the room and effective on the ice, and it was a loss for the Captain. Then we got to read the comments from Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky. They were sad. A big brother was gone, and with him any pretense that this team was going to the playoffs.
Then that top line came out, reunited, and blew the Capitals away. Less than eight minutes in Suzuki was on hat-trick watch. A beautiful Suzuki snipe, off a beautiful Caufield saucer pass, following a beautiful Slafkovsky and Caufield backcheck. Then less than a minute later, a Suzuki draw won, a Xhekaj shot through to the net, and a bad angle rebound goal from Suzuki.
Then when it looked like Washington would try to make a push, Slaf found his shot. A sweet drag and snipe, followed by a one-timer on the power play. Another hat-trick watch.
This was a character game from the Suzuki line. With all the babble from pundits this week about how depressed they were about losing Monahan, and how desperate they would be without their veteran leader, they showed in this game that they know who they are. These three know the future of the Montreal Canadiens is on them, not veterans on the decline. They got the message from their GM – this is their team to take over.
This is a depleted line up and one line won’t carry this team for the rest of the season. Some games will be ugly. But there is a lot to look forward to from that top line.
On Saturday they were back at it, with goals from Suzuki and Slafkovsky in a losing effort. Then on Sunday, Suzuki scored and Suzuki assisted in an ugly loss. Suddenly, the 24-year-old who is not a top-line centreman is on pace for 27 goals and 76 points. And the not-yet-20-year-old who is not a first overall pick is on pace for 16 goals and 38 points.
The developmental program of the Montreal Canadiens is on point.
It was a giant flaw in the past leadership group. Yes, Bergevin inherited an iffy cupboard and then pissed away some draft picks, and yes, Timmins whiffed on a few selections. But the biggest flaw in that regime’s approach was the antiquated approach to development. A fun part of this season for me is seeing the occasional bit of footage that confirms the new leadership gets it.
One good developmental story in Montreal this season is the other guy on that top line, who is on pace for a career high in assists. Don’t look now, but I think Caufield might enjoy being a playmaker.
Perhaps Newhook returning to health and Roy being recalled from Laval will give the Habs the semblance of a second scoring line.
It was a great return to action for Alex Newhook after a long spell away from the game. He had energy, he was fast as ever, and he fared just fine at centre ice. Rafael Havery-Pinard, on the other hand, has not looked good at all this season. After impressing down the stretch last season, RHP has not provided anything close so far this year. On Saturday, he left the game with another presumed injury.
The positive side is that Joshua Roy was recalled from Laval immediately following the game. Roy looked good despite the scoreboard, and the opportunity down the stretch will be good for his development. Hopefully he finds some chemistry with Newhook, because the other forward options on the Habs right now are abysmal.
How do you solve a problem like Jake Allen?
The St. Louis Blues tuned up the Habs on Sunday. One team fighting for the playoffs and another facing the reality that this will be another early Spring. This game got ugly. Between the injuries and the scoreboard, it was sometimes easier to look away.
Jake Allen, facing his former team with a weak team in front of him, did not look good. Is it because of the three-goalie rotation and the inability to get in game rhythm? I dunno – I hardly remember what Primeau looks like, and we have seen this version of Allen before. I have joked previously that Allen plays poorly during scouting season.
Whatever the reason, it’s hard to imagine a noteworthy return for Allen between now and the trade deadline. If Hughes can pull that off we’ll all be impressed. But if Allen cannot be dealt, what then? Will they be left with a Primeau decision to make after playing the bulk of the season with this three-headed monster.
I know Hughes would really like to avoid this approach, but if the call were mine I would wait and see if a deal could be made between now and the trade deadline. If not, I’d waive Allen and see if he’s claimed. He never needs to see Laval, if Hughes is concerned with respecting the veteran, but I would run a Montembeault-Primeau platoon nonetheless. The Habs need to see what Primeau can do, and the 11 games we have seen from him thus far are not enough. They can’t have wasted a full year of development only to wind up with the same decision to make.
That’s what the rest of this season is about – development and business. A top line has emerged, young defenders are gaining experience, and now a new goalie tandem needs to emerge. Hughes needs to use this window to stockpile assets while also creating conditions for optimal development in the 30 games that remain.
Hab At Her 