Habs’ 4th Line: From Dominant to Derailed

At the start of the season, the Montreal Canadiens’ fourth line was the talk of the town. Jake Evans, playing for a new contract, was on pace for a career year. Rookie Emil Heineman emerged as one of the team’s top goal scorers, while Joel Armia excelled in puck possession and protection. Together, they formed a reliable and dynamic trio, making significant contributions both defensively and offensively. On many nights, their strong play helped Montreal remain competitive—and even secure victories.

However, everything changed on January 13th. While in Salt Lake City, Utah, Emil Heineman was struck by a car in an unfortunate accident. The incident sidelined him, and the impact on the Canadiens’ fourth line was immediate and profound.

Fourth Line Production Breakdown

When Heineman was placed on injured reserve, it became clear that the fourth line had lost its spark. Evans and Armia, while still reliable on the penalty kill, saw a steep decline in offensive production. Even upon Heineman’s return, the trio struggled to regain its early-season dominance, reducing the once-standout fourth line to a more conventional, low-impact unit.

Recent analyses highlight just how significant Heineman’s absence has been. Prior to his injury, the Evans-Armia-Heineman line controlled 60% of the shots while on the ice and accounted for over 60% of the expected goals. They outscored opponents 11-4 during this period, showcasing their dominance. Heineman’s aggressive forechecking and physical play were pivotal in creating offensive opportunities and maintaining puck possession.

In Heineman’s absence, Evans and Armia’s performance metrics declined sharply. Their shot control dropped to 45%, and expected goals plummeted to 37.8%. The line was outscored 10-3 during this stretch, underscoring their struggles without Heineman’s influence. This downturn in fourth-line performance coincided with a team-wide slump, with the Canadiens’ points percentage falling to .393, effectively diminishing their playoff aspirations.

The Canadiens’ offensive struggles this season have been well-documented. Their top line, anchored by Nick Suzuki and supported by Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, has shouldered the scoring load. Patrik Laine has chipped in with timely goals, particularly on the power play, while the veteran trio of Brendan Gallagher, Christian Dvorak, and Josh Anderson has done what it can from the third line.

For Montreal to stay in the playoff race, the fourth line must rediscover its offensive touch. Head coach Martin St-Louis prefers to roll four lines consistently, making depth scoring even more crucial. Playing responsible defense and limiting goals against is valuable, but with the Canadiens needing production from all four lines to sustain success, the challenge is clear: the fourth line must step up and deliver.

In summary, Emil Heineman’s injury has had a ripple effect throughout the Canadiens’ lineup. The fourth line’s early-season success was a catalyst for the team’s competitive play, and his absence has been felt both on the scoreboard and in the standings. As the Canadiens strive to keep their playoff hopes alive, reestablishing the fourth line’s effectiveness with Heineman’s return could be a key factor in their resurgence.