The Montreal Canadiens approached their Saturday night game as a critical juncture, having only two victories from their first seven encounters. This was not the plan, but injuries and a lack of experience have significantly influenced their season.
The Canadiens were eager for a victory against the St. Louis Blues at the Bell Centre and brought their A-game, securing a 5-2 win.
This victory provides a much-needed respite for the team’s upper management and ownership. Their focus is on Kirby Dach, who is expected to recover his form after major knee surgery. If Dach fails to perform on either of the first two lines, it could set back the team’s rebuilding process significantly. The uncertainty surrounding a player’s recovery from ACL and MCL surgery adds to the concern.
Despite modern medicine’s advancements, there are still no guarantees that a player can fully recover. When Dach began the season struggling to regain his speed and control of the puck, the concern increased significantly, making this victory even sweeter.
Dach displayed his former self’s abilities, scoring his first goal in 583 days. His second point was even more impressive. He received a strong pass from Mike Matheson during a power play and swiftly passed it to Alex Newhook who scored.
Another positive from the game was the continued goal streak of Cole Caufield. Damphousse was the last player to score 40 goals for the Canadiens in 1994, but Caufield’s current pace gives hope of breaking that 30-year-old record.
However, the team’s defensive performance has been underwhelming. There have been many instances where players were left unguarded. These defensive lapses need to be addressed urgently, as it’s impossible to create offense at the cost of basic defense.
Despite these challenges, the team showed more determination and hunger in this game. As the youngest team in the NHL, they have a lot to learn, but with time and experience, they will improve.
Meanwhile, the team’s management continues to gather exceptional talent. The Montreal Canadiens’ rebuild may take longer than anticipated, given the team’s lack of experience, but their potential is evident in new prospects like Ivan Demidov and Michael Hage. This is a testimony to the team’s future potential, providing a silver lining for the fans amidst the frustrating start to the season.