The Montreal Canadiens were back home on Saturday night with the San Jose Sharks visiting. Earlier this month the two teams faced off in California in a goaltender’s nightmare where Jakub Dobes and the Habs lost 7-5. In this one, the coach went back to Dobes and the result was a 4-2 loss.
Here’s what I saw as noteworthy.
Cole Caufield reached a career high in goals.
Of course he did it on a Saturday night. He has just gotten better every season, and goal 38 is his highest yet. He’s five points away from his highest point total. With 17 games left, you know he’s going to blow by his previous highs.
The defense pairs continue to struggle.
The obvious top pair on this version of the Montreal Canadiens is Hutson-Dobson. Unfortunately, with the current make-up, it’s a pair the coach cannot keep. Beyond Dobson, the only other right shot available is a number 6 on a good team.
The solution available to Martin St. Louis is not a good one. Among the gaggle of left shots, Lane Hutson is the only guy who can play right side fit to watch. Matheson and Dobson are generally a good pair, but that means Hutson has to play his weak side so Guhle can play on the left.
The chemistry between Guhle and Hutson has never been strong, in my view, and since returning from injury Guhle is not playing like a top-four defenseman. He’s currently better suited to playing third pair with Carrier.
Did any of the D have a strong night against San Jose? The Habs need another top-four right-shot and they didn’t add him at the deadline. It’s time to give Reinbacher a look… as soon as cap space allows.
The maturity on the ice didn’t match Marty’s.
The coach made a huge call in this one. St. Louis knew that Texier has played too well to sit as long as he did. He also knew Gallagher has struggled to keep up. Marty made the tough decision to sit a heart and soul veteran because the team is at that stage where the feels will have to give way. He said Gally was probably taking it better than he was.
Then the team shit the bed.
The top line looked good, and that’s where it ends. Actually, Texier looked fine but his centreman looked like the next guy to need a little load management.
If I was Marty I’d be pissed.
He made a decision that reflected his understanding of where the Canadiens are in the standings… where they are in this rebuild. Then the team played like it was a random game of Saturday shinny.
Sunday better be better.
Hab At Her 