Motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said: “Discipline is the foundation upon which all success is built. Lack of discipline inevitably leads to failure.” These words resonate strongly when applied to the Montreal Canadiens this season. Despite their promising record and undeniable resilience, their playoff aspirations are being overshadowed by a glaring issue: indiscipline.
The Canadiens are dodging bullets on a nightly basis, but their penchant for penalties threatens to derail their progress. Ranked 5th in penalty minutes league-wide, the Habs spend over 10 minutes per game in the sin bin. This isn’t inflated by major infractions—far from it. In fact, Martin St-Louis’ team is tied for 20th in the league for major penalties. However, they have accumulated 167 minor penalties in just 43 games, trailing only the Florida Panthers (179 in 45 games) and Boston Bruins (168 in 46 games).
At first glance, their penalty-killing prowess seems to mask the problem. Boasting the NHL’s 10th-best penalty kill at 82%, they’ve managed to mitigate the immediate damage. But the true cost of this indiscipline goes far deeper than what the stats sheet shows.
The Ripple Effects of Too Many Penalties
Constantly killing penalties creates a cascade of negative consequences for any hockey team, and the Canadiens are no exception.
For starters, it places an undue burden on goaltenders and defensemen. Montreal’s blue line is tasked with absorbing the brunt of the attack while playing a man short. Young stars like Kaiden Guhle and veterans like David Savard and Mike Matheson are logging extra shifts to neutralize power plays, leaving them physically drained and more susceptible to injuries.
Beyond the wear and tear, excessive penalties shift the momentum. Each penalty is an opportunity for the opposition to control the puck, generate scoring chances, and dictate the game’s tempo. Even if the Habs successfully kill the penalty, the time spent defending is time lost from building their own attack.
Moreover, frequent penalties disrupt the rhythm of the Canadiens’ top offensive players. Talents like Cole Caufield, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Kirby Dach are forced to ride the bench during penalty kills, breaking their flow and limiting their opportunities to contribute offensively. For a team relying on these players to carry the scoring load, the cost is significant.
The officiating in the NHL continues to be a significant concern, one that Commissioner Gary Bettman consistently downplays. As a fan, it’s hard not to feel that Montreal faces an inexplicable bias at times.
A prime example unfolded earlier this season in Philadelphia. Arber Xhekaj challenged Sean Couturier and was the second player to drop the gloves. Despite being jumped by another Flyers player during the altercation, Xhekaj was the only one penalized, leaving many scratching their heads at the apparent inconsistency.
The Path Forward
Indiscipline isn’t just a technical issue; it’s a mindset. It’s the unnecessary retaliation, careless stick infractions, and poorly timed penalties that betray a lack of focus. For the Canadiens to solidify their playoff position, they must embrace a culture of smarter hockey.
Jim Rohn’s wisdom serves as a poignant reminder: success demands discipline. If Montreal can temper their undisciplined play and channel their energy into the right areas of the game, their ceiling is as high as any team in the league. But without addressing this fundamental flaw, they risk undoing all the good work they’ve accomplished so far.
The Canadiens have the talent to contend, but talent alone isn’t enough. Discipline is the key to unlocking their potential—and their ticket to staying in the playoff race.
