Not Exactly Smoke and Mirrors
As I write this, the Montreal Canadiens stand first not only in the Eastern Conference but in the entire league with 15 points in 10 games, surpassing the expectations to this point of not only the most cynical members of the media but even the most optimistic of fans.
Over the past few seasons, a strong powerplay has been the primary staple of any success achieved by the Canadiens. Three seasons ago, they rode a first-place powerplay on their way to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference. Last season, the powerplay finished an impressive second in the NHL to get the Habs into the playoffs and their Cinderella run to the Conference Finals. This season however, despite signs of life in recent games, the powerplay stands as the 29th most productive in the league at a paltry 8.8%, ahead of only the inexplicably woeful New Jersey Devils.But out of the failure of an expected strength has come an unexpected surge in even-strength goals. Nostradamus himself wouldn't have predicted the Canadiens to be tied for second in the NHL with 21 even-strength goals. Even more surprising perhaps, is the fact that the Canadiens have done this despite only one goal by captain Brian Gionta, last season's team leader in goals during the regular season. Gionta's partner in crime Scott Gomez, hasn't exactly picked up the slack notching a very modest three points up until this point. Even the third smurf, Michael Cammalleri, has an underwhelming three goals and has scored in just 20% of the team's games.
Once again, the failure of an expected strength has been covered up by an unexpected performance. Last season, it took Andrei Kostitsyn until December 12th, or the 30th game of the season, to hit the six-goal mark he has achieved through a mere nine games this season. But while Kostitsyn has blown people's minds with his performance, a overall balanced attack from the forwards is to credit for the improved five-on-five play. Only two regular forwards, Tom Pyatt and Lars Eller, have yet to score this year whereas defensive-minded forwards Jeff Halpern and Travis Moen have lit the lamp five times between them.
All that being said, to achieve the best record in the NHL to date, a team needs more than a strong offensive performance. The team's defensive performance has been perhaps even more of a pleasant surprise. Last season, the Canadiens were 26th in the NHL in shots allowed with 32.1 a game. This season, they rank 5th allowing 27.2 a game, a remarkable turnaround that leads us to believe the team has finally embraced Jacques Martin's defensive system. As impressive as a stat that is in itself, it's even more astounding where you consider the fact the number is skewed by the 38 shots allowed against Pittsburgh and 48 against Tampa Bay. In fact since the Tampa game, the team has allowed just over 23 shots per game and up until last night's game in Long Island, the Canadiens went six games in a row without being outshot by their opponent.
How has this been done? Once again, I come back to an unexpected strength making up for an expected one. The team's best defenseman, Andrei Markov, has yet to play this season. To make up it, Josh Gorges has maintained his rise to stardom and journeyman Alex Picard has stepped up to lead the team's defensive corps with a +7 rating. And as a last line of defense, Carey Price has re-assured fans who felt the team's goaltending would go into the crapper with the trade of Jaroslav Halak by registering a solid .913 save percentage, a stat that doesn't accurately reflect how well Price has played to date.
Make no mistake, for the Canadiens to continue to maintain the success they're enjoying, Brian Gionta will have to start putting the puck into the net. Andrei Markov will have to quarterback the powerplay to success and be the outstanding defenseman he's been known to be. Scott Gomez will have to start showing up on the scoresheet he's been avoiding with a lot more frequency. Someone will have to step up to score regularly on the second line and Jaroslav Spacek will have to at least start coming close to justifying his salary.
An important trait of good teams is to have the ability to mask their weaknesses and shortcomings by stepping up in other areas. To this point, the Montreal Canadiens have done that in spades.
Will Martinez runs the 'Hey, My Name is Will' blog and is a contributor for TheFranchise.ca. You can follow Will on Twitter @heymynameiswill
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