With the playoffs fast approaching, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves in a five-game winless skid at the worst possible time. Yet, despite their struggles, they remain firmly in the hunt for the final Wild Card spot. Why? Because the teams they’re battling aren’t capitalizing either. In a race where no one seems eager to take control, the door remains open for the Habs.
Here’s how the Eastern Conference Wild Card contenders have fared over their last 10 games:
|
Team |
Points |
Record |
|
New York Rangers |
77 |
4-5-1 |
|
Montreal Canadiens |
75 |
3-4-3 |
|
Columbus Blue Jackets |
75 |
3-6-1 |
|
New York Islanders |
74 |
3-4-3 |
|
Detroit Red Wings |
74 |
4-6-0 |
The Rangers currently hold the last Wild Card spot, sitting just two points ahead of Montreal and Columbus, and the Islanders, with Detroit lurking just one point behind. It’s anyone’s race—but time is running out.
Who’s Hot?
If the Canadiens hope to break out of their funk, they’ll need their top players to continue carrying the load. Over the last 10 games, a few names stand out in terms of production:
|
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
+/- |
PTS/GP |
TOI/GP |
|
Slafkovsky |
5 |
4 |
9 |
+6 |
0.90 |
19:18 |
|
Suzuki |
3 |
6 |
9 |
+3 |
0.90 |
21:49 |
|
Dvorak |
4 |
4 |
8 |
+5 |
0.80 |
14:52 |
|
Laine |
4 |
3 |
7 |
-3 |
0.88 |
15:06 |
|
Caufield |
3 |
4 |
7 |
+5 |
0.70 |
19:43 |
|
Gallagher |
2 |
5 |
7 |
+3 |
0.70 |
14:16 |
|
Hutson |
1 |
6 |
7 |
+4 |
0.70 |
24:13 |
Juraj Slafkovsky, celebrating his 21st birthday today, has been a driving force alongside captain Nick Suzuki. Christian Dvorak has stepped up his game significantly, perhaps playing his best hockey in a Canadiens’ uniform, while Patrik Laine has shown more effort in all areas of the ice. On the back end, Lane Hutson continues to strengthen his case for the Calder Trophy with impressive performances.
Who’s Not?
While some have elevated their game, others have struggled to contribute offensively—or even keep the puck out of their own net.
|
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
+/- |
PTS/GP |
TOI/GP |
|
Armia |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-6 |
0 |
12:54 |
|
Xhekaj |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-5 |
0 |
12:07 |
|
Heineman |
0 |
1 |
1 |
-5 |
0.10 |
11:24 |
|
Matheson |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
0.10 |
25:22 |
|
Evans |
0 |
2 |
2 |
-3 |
0.20 |
14:53 |
|
Carrier |
0 |
3 |
3 |
-3 |
0.30 |
20:44 |
|
Savard |
0 |
3 |
3 |
-2 |
0.30 |
14:44 |
Montreal’s top defensive pairing hasn’t delivered the impact expected at this stage of the season. Mike Matheson, in particular, has had a rough stretch despite logging the most minutes on the team. Meanwhile, the entire fourth line has gone cold, as we have dissected recently. Joel Armia is reportedly dealing with a hand or wrist issue, but regardless, they’re spending more time fishing pucks out of their own net than contributing offensively.
It might seem harsh to single out Alexandre Carrier and the third-pairing defensemen, but Carrier’s effectiveness has been limited while paired with the struggling Matheson. Meanwhile, David Savard and Arber Xhekaj haven’t been at their best either. In the Canadiens’ last game against Carolina, Martin St-Louis opted to dress seven defensemen but played Xhekaj just 3:52—while perhaps an overkill, still a clear indication of the coaching staff’s concerns.
The goaltending has also contributed to letting the team down in recent weeks, allowing questionable goals and often being outplayed by their counterparts at the other end of the ice.
What’s Next?
Management wanted the Canadiens playing meaningful hockey down the stretch, or “in the mix” as they said, and that’s exactly what they’re getting. Some players have risen to the challenge, while others need to find another gear.
With the finish line in sight, Montreal can’t afford to let opportunities slip away. If they want playoff hockey at the Bell Centre, the time to heat up is now.
