by Blain Potvin, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

With the first quarter of the season complete, fans can look back and see a Montreal Canadiens team that is sitting at the top of the NHL standings. The Canadiens were a team who, for many of those 22 games played, benefited from timely scoring from depth players. This was partially due to players playing with speed and aggression.

When that style was absent, team MVP Carey Price, stepped up several times to ensure a win even when it wasn’t deserved. This is what valuable players have always done for their teams. It’s not a sign of weakness but rather a display of strength from that one player.

That said, fans can still see cracks in the armour of this good team. The Canadiens could be improved significantly if the lack of production from the second line, namely Max Pacioretty, Thomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher, was addressed. 

Cracks form for many reasons. To repair these flaws, it’s sometimes simply encouraging hard work and a return to a simpler style of play that has delivered success in the past.

Let us look at the first member of the line, Brendan Gallagher.

Gallagher hasn’t changed his style of play nor his approach to the game. He continues to go into the corners, create havoc in front of the net and win battles against much larger players.

With his production drying up, Gallagher seems to have simply been on the receiving end of some strange voodoo. This has affected his game, as he seems less sure of himself when carrying the puck. He’s quick to shoot, but his shot has been less accurate than in previous seasons.

Scoring a goal for the first time in 16 games against Detroit (to tie the game) may have been just what he needed to regain his confidence focusing on the smaller details of his game that allow him to drive opposing defenses into fits.

We have discussed Thomas Plekanec in a previous article.

Plekanec’s defensive play has not been questioned, however, he has received criticism for his lack of offensive production. His pace this season, seven points in 22 games, is well behind totals of the past. After his blazing hot start that led to a contract extension last season, his usually dependable production has seemingly dried up. This season’s numbers haven’t quieted the fears that he has become a high-priced third-line center.

If any fans were looking for a silver lining, they can point to Plekanec’s two consecutive games with an assist. It shows that he has finally been capable of playing a much more aggressive style of the past. Is the modest point streak a statistical blip, or is it his emergence back into a productive center? The Western road trip will be a good barometer for the Canadiens and their leaders.

The final member of the line is Max Pacioretty.

Pacioretty has been the target of considerable unwarranted criticism. Although he has been slightly less productive this season, especially in goal scoring, his overall production isn’t that much less. He is on pace for 52 points, a respectable showing for someone being used in a second line role. Still, his usual pace is closer to 60 to 65 points in a season where he is used on a top line.

Is Pacioretty being used to create a scoring threat up and down the lineup, emulating the Stanley Cup winning Pittsburgh Penguins? Partially, yes. However, Max does have to shoulder the blame as his offensive play has been tentative. I see him rushing his shots and  being reluctant to shoot. While playmaking is a nice addition to his overall game, his offensive strength is his shot and quick release. He must use them both more often to be effective.

There are some fans and media members that have been creating controversy around the team captain, when in reality there is none. Manufacturing false controversies can have a negative effect on the team.

In the past few games, Pacioretty has begun to dig himself out of a slump as he is shooting and attacking the puck with an urgency previously lacking this season. That style helped him score a game-winning goal against Carolina and to generate offensive pressure allowing Gallagher score against Detroit.

As this trio finds its way back to a respectable level of offensive production, it can help provide some much needed scoring depth. That depth is not just about producing goals every game but to force opposition coaches to shift their focus from the top scoring line of Alex Galchenyuk and Alex Radulov to two scoring lines.

Having to defend against two scoring lines wears down defenses down over the course of a game allowing for the scoring depth on the third line and via the power play. This can be accomplished with individuals on the second line excelling at their strengths: Pacioretty’s lethal shot, Gallagher’s ability to agitate and Plekanec’s ability to make quick, short passes.

There will always be trade rumors as fans and media look to improve their team. There will also be talk of short-sighted trades to offload imaginary and real problems. One thing is for certain, the Canadiens’ best chance at raising any trade value and being successful against the tougher opponents, is to have this trio return to providing offence, something they have done for several seasons. If Plekanec, Pacioretty and Gallagher can find their way back to what they do best, the cracks in the armor will begin to disappear.