Author: Dose

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Advanced stats: it’s amazing how much better the #1 powerplay is with Hutson

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

A few weeks ago, many of us wanted the same thing.

And many shared the same thought:

What is Martin St-Louis waiting for to put Lane Hutson on the first wave of the powerplay?

Matheson’s injury “forced” St-Louis to make changes.

In recent games, we’ve seen Hutson get his chance… And so far, the results have been interesting.

When you look at the Canadiens’ advanced powerplay stats with Hutson and with Matheson, you realize that it’s completely different.

Arpon Basu (The Athletic) wrote about this in a recent article:

(Credit: )

Basically, with Hutson instead of Matheson, the Canadiens are better in each of these following categories:

  • Shots on goal attempts
  • Shots on goal
  • Dangerous chances
  • Expected goals
  • Goals
  • Percentage of shots

All these statistics (apart from dangerous chances) are calculated per 60 minutes.

That said, the numbers are staggering… And it just goes to show how talented Lane Hutson is.

The text in question (which I recommend you read) can be found here:

Martin St-Louis had no choice but to trust Matheson to start the season.

The #8, after all, occupied the quarterback’s chair on the powerplay last season and racked up points in the process.

He has more experience, too.

But here, we’ve seen enough to say that Lane Hutson deserves – from now on – to be part of the first wave of the powerplay.

He creates things with his vision and is ultimately more responsible than Matheson in the offensive zone. The only aspect to be corrected: Hutson needs to throw more often at the net, and everyone has noticed this in recent games.

But otherwise, Lane Hutson is doing great things with the man advantage… And that’s just the beginning.

That’s what’s so interesting about all this.

Overtime

– Exactly

– Absolument.

– Great contest :

– Oh, wow.

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3 points in 15 games: things couldn’t be worse for Dach

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 2: Kirby Dach #77 of the Montreal Canadiens skates during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on November 2, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)

Martin St-Louis tried to revive Kirby Dach.

He put him in the middle of the second line, gave him a chance on the first unit for a few games… But it didn’t work.

Now, it looks like solutions are hard to find.

Dach’s last few games haven’t been great. D

  • No goals and only 3 assists

or the last 15 games, it’s been tough:

  • 21 shots on net (1.4 shots on net per game)
  • A -11 record

At the time of writing, Dach has the worst differential in the entire National League. His playing time has dropped considerably over the past week and a half because he’s not doing the right things on the ice. He’s even been placed on the 4th line…

But at this point, there’s no point in criticizing him on his personal pages, as some did after Saturday’s game against the Rangers.

To help him gain confidence, perhaps he should be given some love :

It’s flat because lately, Dach is more involved on the ice.

Against the Rangers, he wasn’t afraid to go to the corners (something we haven’t seen since the start of the season), he handed out checks and he finished the game with a total of four shots on goal.

If you don’t score, you still have to find a way to stand out. And that’s what he did, even if his game was spoiled by his unnecessary penalty late in the game.

But as Éric Bélanger told BPM Sports, his performance can have a negative effect on the rest of the team if St-Louis doesn’t make the right decisions when he sees that Dach is struggling.

For example? Knowing how difficult it is for him in general… Maybe the idea of putting him on the first powerplay should be given a little more thought by the coaching staff.

That said, Martin St-Louis needs to put him in a favorable position, and if Laine is able to play tomorrow, I’d like to see Dach get the chance to be on the same line.

It takes a spark… And even if it’s hard to find, it would be stupid to give up on a 3rd overall pick (2019) who still has things to prove in the National League.

Because we saw in the 22-23 season (38 points in 58 games) that he has the potential to become a good NHL player.

Overtime

– I love the reaction.

– It’s true that it’s weird.

– Whew…

– Seen the same.

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Marc Bergevin turned down a 3-year offer at $3M (per year) to stay in Montreal

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Marc Bergevin was fired by the Canadiens on November 28, 2021.

However, he told Pierre LeBrun that his mind was already made up.

He had already decided that he would leave Montreal in 2022, after the last year of his contract with the Habs.

Is that why he refused to sign a three-year offer at $3 million a year to stay in Montreal as GM in the summer of 2021?

Because, according to Renaud Lavoie (TVA Sports), that’s what he had on the table.

In a text, the journalist states that the amount offered by Geoff Molson was not sufficient (in Bergevin’s eyes) and that this played a role in his decision to refuse the offer:

The offer was clearly below Marc Bergevin’s expectations, and that goes a long way to explaining why he didn’t accept it. – Renaud Lavoie

Marc Bergevin’s recent contract paid just under $3 million a year.

Did he feel he’d done what was necessary to earn a decent salary increase? And did the fact that the team had just reached the Stanley Cup finals give him a leg up?

Perhaps… But there are certainly other factors that can explain this decision.

After all, we know that Marc Bergevin was tired at the end of his reign, that he didn’t have the best relationship with the media and that he seemed to have reached the end of his resources.

There’s a reasonhe cleared out his office weeks before being fired.

He knew it was coming, and I have a feeling he’d known it was coming for a while.

That said, we sensed in the interview he gave Pierre LeBrun that he needed a change of scenery and that it was good for him to leave the Montreal Canadiens organization.

Because we know it’s more intense here than almost anywhere else in the National League.

Overtime

– Great event.

– Still.

– Good question.

– Well done!

– Oh!

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The Canadiens have allowed the opposition 4 goals or more 13 times this season (out of 24 games).

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 1: Charlie McAvoy #73 and David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins celebrate the first-period goal against the Montreal Canadiens on December 1, 2024, at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Let’s talk about the Canadiens’ start to the season.

After 24 games played, the club has an 8-13-3 record. That’s good for second-to-last place in the NHL standings: only the Chicago Blackhawks have done worse so far.

Ultimately, I have to believe that this can’t be good news for management in Montreal.

When we look at the Habs’ overall statistics, we see that the team is giving away too many goals.

Since the start of the season, the Canadiens have given up 93 goals to their opponents (like the Colorado Avalanche). The Penguins (100) and Sharks (96) are dead last in the league in this respect.

That said, with yesterday’s loss in Boston, the Canadiens have now allowed 4 or more goals in a single game 13 times this season.

And in the context of only 24 games played, that’s pretty obvious.

  • 6-4 loss to the Bruins on October 10 – Primeau
  • 6-3 loss to the Penguins on October 14 – Monty
  • 4-1 loss to Kings on October 17 – Monty
  • 4-3 loss to Islanders on October 19 *** – Primeau
  • 7-2 loss to Rangers on October 22 – Monty
  • 8-2 loss to Kraken on October 29 – Monty
  • 6-3 loss to Capitals on October 31 – Monty
  • 4-1 loss to Leafs on November 9 – Monty
  • 5-3 loss to Devils on November 7 – Monty
  • 7-5 win over the Sabres on November 11 – Primeau
  • 6-2 loss to Golden Knights on October 23 – Monty
  • 4-3 loss to Rangers on November 30 – Monty
  • 6-3 loss to the Bruins on the 1st – Primeau

I gave special mention to the Islanders game because it ended in a shootout.

But in general, it’s still unacceptable :

(Credit: ESPN screenshot)

What can explain all this?

For me, it’s not just about the work of the two goalkeepers. We agree that things would be different if Primeau and Montembeault were more solid in front of the net, but it goes even further than that.

The defence is young and inexperienced, there were difficulties in understanding the system of play at the start of the season and too often, the club is capable of collapsing by allowing several goals in a single period.

We saw evidence of this against the Rangers, the Kraken, the Golden Knights… And we saw it again yesterday in Boston, when the Bruins scored three goals in the nick of time.

It’s frustrating, honestly. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who had that reaction yesterday after seeing the Bruins’ 3rd goal of the first period:

For this problem to be solved, it’s simple: everyone has to be better.

The goalies have to make the big saves, the defense has to tighten up when it comes time to do so, the forwards have to do their part, and the guys have to stop getting mixed up like a deck of cards in the zone, as we saw against the Bruins yesterday afternoon.

It won’t be easy, that said. Because there’s work to be done before we get there…

Overtime

– Whoa!

– Good point.

– He’s back!

– That’s a good one.

– Nice.

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The irony of Patrick Roy heading to Montreal on December 2

December 2, 1995 marked the end of an era in Montreal.

Habs fans know that on this day, 29 years ago, Patrick Roy played his last game in a Habs uniform. It didn’t go well on the ice, he stayed in the game, the crowd – ah well, you know the drill.

The images left a lasting impression.

Since then, Roy has been linked with the Avalanche, Remparts and Islanders, but not the Canadiens. But even so, he’s never been forgotten by Canadiens fans.

His return to the Bell Centre last year is proof of that.

So it’s ironic that the Islanders will be heading for Montreal today, and that their coach, Roy, will be on his way home on December 2.

It’s fun for fans, who will once again have the chance to cheer on their former star tomorrow night, when the Islanders take on the Habs.

But for Martin St-Louis and his men, tomorrow’s game will be a chance to get back to winning ways against a team that hasn’t exactly been dominant lately.

In their last 10 games, the Islanders have a 3-4-3 record. It’s been a while since they’ve beaten a playoff club, and they’ve got injuries here and there.

(Credit: Islanders)

I’m not saying the Canadiens have what it takes to beat the Islanders at home tomorrow night, but the Montreal club must take inspiration from Patrik Laine’s possible return and their opponents’ struggles to go for the W.

After a tough weekend and a day off today (Monday), that would be important for the Habs.

The Canadiens won’t have the toughest December on earth (the club will only sleep three times on the road before going on vacation), and they need to start chasing wins fast.

And that starts tomorrow night against Roy Patrick.

(Credit: Canadiens)

Overtime

– Really?

– Makes sense.

– Read more.

– Interesting stuff.

– What do you think?

– Good news.

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Jean-Charles Lajoie to host his own daily sports podcast from January 13

1995 brought us Il pleut des roses sur Manhattan…

Now, if the same gang wants to make a new feature film for 2025, I could suggest the following title: Il pleut des podcasts sur Montréal (It’s raining podcasts on Montreal).

Because there are dozens and dozens of French-language hockey podcasts in Quebec: Processus, Stanley25, Radar, Sortie de zone, La Poche bleue, Bon match, TLSH hockey, The Sick Podcast(s), Tellement hockey, On jase, Drette su’l tape, Femme d’hockey, La relève, La puck, Les glorieux…

And the list goes on!

So when it comes to podcasts in general that aren’t about hockey, you can imagine how many there are!

The latest to be launched is hosted by my former boss at BPM Sports, Yves Bombardier, and it’s all about real estate. It’s called Dans ma cabane.

Yves and his son Pierre-Alexis will host one Québécois public figure per week to talk real estate with him/her.

The guest on the first episode (released just a few hours ago) is Jean-Charles Lajoie, former employee – but above all long-time friend – of Yves Bombardier.

Jean-Charles talks about his past as a tenant, but also about his current life as an owner and investor.

But at the very end of the podcast, Jean-Charles confided a little scoop: on January 13, he will be launching an online platform on which he will host a daily podcast. It’s a project he’s been nurturing since 2010, and he’ll be launching it with the aim of bringing together a community that shares his interests.

“I really want to create a community. You don’t take the guy out of the guy. Become part of the community of chums […] The insiders, the regulars, who still talk to me about how the Earth stopped spinning at 3:00. The antenna was placed at 91.9 […] People tell me “at 3:00, we’d turn the sound up, then listen to your editorial.” That’s exactly what we’re going to do again. – Jean-Charles Lajoie

He says he’s aware that if he ever loses his TV mic – he lost his radio mic a little over a year ago – then digital may well be his last line of defence. The fate of traditional Québécois TV is far from assured in the medium/long term, and Jean-Charles knows it.

According to Jean-Charles, the commercial partners for the project he’ll be bringing into the world are numerous and solid, but…

Will nostalgic fans be satisfied with the first episodes of Jean-Charles’ new project? Only time will tell.

Prolongation

The Canadiens suffered two more defeats this weekend , making it 16 in 24 games so far this season. No other team has lost more than the Habs in 2024-25…

I could talk about Caufield’s brilliance, Primeau’s setbacks or the difficulties of Dach, Matheson and Newhook…

But I’d rather use these few lines as a reminder that a man-to-man system in your zone doesn’t work against the best players in the world.

A man-to-man system in the defensive zone is like playing police and robber, 1 v. 1, against one of the best robbers in the world.

When you win, you’ve avoided the worst, and when you lose, you put your team in the sh*t.

The guy you’re up against is almost always fast, agile, creative… he’s got good hands… and an incredible ability to change direction. He knows how to mask his intentions.

If you lose him, it doesn’t matter whether or not he’s carrying the puck at the time, it gives the other team an advantage. 3 v. 2… 2 v. 1… 1 v. 0…

And if you keep awarding overnumbers-because sooner or later, you won’t be able to win 100% of your 1 v. 1 duels-you end up awarding goals. Especially when your goalie’s name is Cayden Primeau…

You’ve got no cover… no buffer… no margin for error…

It’s no coincidence that almost no one in the Bettman circuit uses a man-to-man system in defensive territory. It’s unforgiving!

When will we see a defensive system better adapted to the league in which you play? It may work in peewee, man-to-man, but it obviously doesn’t work in the NHL.

What’s next?
The Habs will play their next five games at the Bell Centre.

Either they get back on track in front of their fans and their energy, or they’re in deep trouble.

After that, the Canadiens will play eight of their next 10 games on the road, where they won just three of their 12 games in 2024-25. Ouch!

It’s not just Kirby Dach who needs some love right now…

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Joshua Roy sold to Laval Rocket

MONTREAL, CANADA - MARCH 12: Joshua Roy #89 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal with the bench during the first period of the NHL regular season game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Bell Centre on March 12, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Arianne Bergeron/NHLI via Getty Images)

A few minutes ago, Patrik Laine posted an image on social networks suggesting that his return to the game was imminent. But we weren’t sure if he was talking about tomorrow.

But now we have another clue.

The Habs have announced that Joshua Roy has been traded to the Laval Rocket. This leads us to believe that Laine will be back, which is a more likely scenario than seeing Michael Pezzetta play.

So, it’s on.

The Habs didn’t have to send Roy down. But since it’s usually 22 guys this year and Roy wouldn’t have gained anything by staying in the stands, it was the right thing to do.

Remember that this week, in four games, Roy broke absolutely nothing. He was little used and of little use. Seeing him return to the AHL isn’t exactly a surprise to me, then.

He’ll help the Rocket more than the Habs – and he’ll help himself too.

Laine suffered a serious knee injury during practice against the Maple Leafs. At the time, it didn’t look like an injury that would heal in two months.

But now, it looks like a realistic timetable.

Details to come…

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Patrik Laine: “A big week ahead”.

Attention Habs fans.

Patrik Laine has just posted an image on social media mentioning that a big week is coming up. It’s safe to assume that he’s talking about a return to action this week.

We can’t be sure, but…

One thing’s for sure: last week, Martin St-Louis opened the door to seeing him return in the short term. He didn’t expect it in the next few days, but the week after that, it was a possibility.

And here we are the week after that.

It should also be noted that Laine mentioned, in his post on social networks, that he hoped Father André was a hockey fan. He took a photo in front of Saint Joseph’s Oratory.

What does this mean? Here again, it’s easy to guess.

Details to follow…

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World Junior Championship: only two QMJHL members invited

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 29: Ethan Gauthier, 37th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning, walks on the stage during the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Rounds 2-7 at Bridgestone Arena on June 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Today, Hockey Canada unveiled its list of invited players for the World Junior Championship camp.

Basically, this means that the guys invited can take part in the practice camp, but are not guaranteed to make the club for the holiday tournament.

Here’s the roster.

What stands out is the fact that only two Québécois received their invitation: Ethan Gauthier and Mathieu Cataford. The Voltigeurs and Océanic players are the only Q representatives.

And for Habs fans, we note the absence of Michael Hage. This was expected… even if he has the stats to earn himself at least one invitation.

Details to come…

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Cayden Primeau is the NHL’s worst goalie

Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images

Statistically speaking, Cayden Primeau is the NHL’s worst goalie.

As we heard this morning on BPM Sports, of the 64 goaltenders who have played more than five games so far this season, Primeau has the worst efficiency rate (.844) and average (4.45) in the league.

Basically, he stops only 17 pucks out of 20 and gives up a goal every 13 minutes.

But aside from the stats, it’s the eye test that’s lacking. The guys play without confidence in front of him because he can’t make the right saves at the right time to give his team gas.

Yesterday afternoon, for example, on the Mike Matheson turnover that led to Bruins goal #4, making the save would have cringed the guys. That’s just one example among many.

Because Samuel Montembeault isn’t the most dominant of men, Montreal has a very weak duo. This explains why the Habs are so low in the standings.

Last year, with Jake Allen, things were going better. But he left to make room for Primeau, in particular… and the result isn’t exactly extraordinary, clearly.

(Credit: ESPN)

More and more, we’re wondering which performance will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. So, basically, we’re wondering if waivers will soon be the answer.

I don’t think Primeau would be called for the waivers, by the way. And that’s despite the fact that he’ll be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, that he’s earning $1.1 million this season and that his footprint on the lot is $0.89 million.

But even if he went to Laval, would the Habs really want to bring up Connor Hughes, who is slowing down a bit in Laval? Jakub Dobes, who still needs some mileage before making it to the NHL?

I’m not saying the answer is no. What I am saying is that the Rocket doesn’t have a goalie ready right now to do better than Primeau.

In the short term, I think the answer is to overload Samuel Montembeault, since the only back-to-back left before Christmas is December 20 and 21 against the Red Wings.

That said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Habs go for another goalie in the next few days. Stay tuned.

Overtime

– Cole Caufield would like to take part in the Four Nations Confrontation.

– Speaking of goalkeepers.

– Did the Habs break Arber Xhekaj?

– Wow.

– Day off for the Habs.