Montreal Canadiens Playoff Push: Goaltending and Defense Key to Success
The Montreal Canadiens are currently in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 33-18-9 record, trailing the third-place Detroit Red Wings by two points. They hold the first wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with a 87.4% chance of making the playoffs according to HockeyReference.com. It is unlikely that they will catch up to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres, but they are expected to finish ahead of the Red Wings to secure the third spot in the division.
President of hockey operations Jeff Gorton expressed confidence in the Canadiens' goaltending situation after firing goalie coach Eric Raymond. Goalies Jakub Dobes and Samuel Montembeault have shown promise, with Dobes posting a 3-1-1 record and Montembeault a 1-0-1 record since Raymond's departure. The team hopes that their goaltenders can lead them into the playoffs, with the option of calling up Jacob Fowler from the AHL's Laval Rocket if needed.
Looking ahead to next season, the Canadiens may have to make decisions regarding their goaltending situation in Laval. Kaapo Kahkonen, who has been serving as Fowler's backup, could be a candidate for the No. 1 job if he decides to return. Additionally, prospects like Quentin Miller and Alexis Cournoyer could also be considered for the role, depending on their decisions to leave their respective universities.
As the Canadiens prepare for the playoffs, their most pressing needs lie in goaltending and defense. While they have a strong offense, ranking third in the NHL in goals per game, their defense has been lacking, ranking 24th in goals against per game. The team also needs to focus on physicality and protecting their goalies in the crease to improve their chances in the playoffs.
During their 2021 playoff run, the Canadiens were led by their "four Clydesdales" on defense, including Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, Ben Chiarot, and Joel Edmundson. These players played a crucial role in the team's success, along with goalie Carey Price, who was outstanding throughout the playoffs. The lack of size on defense was evident last season, and the team will need to address this issue if they hope to make a deep playoff run this year.
There is speculation about the possibility of seeing Michael Hage in the Canadiens' lineup before the end of the regular season. Hage, a standout player at the IIHF World Junior Championship and a top prospect, may consider turning pro after his season at the University of Michigan ends. The Canadiens will have to weigh the benefits of having him join the team during a playoff race against his development needs, deciding if it is the right move for his career.