Canadiens Face 3 Obstacles to Playoff Spot in 2025 – Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens

With Patrik Laine now on the bench, expectations of whether the Montreal Canadiens earn a 2025 playoff spot must be reevaluated. It’s still possible, after finishing fifth from last in 2023-24, but history says it’s at least possible. Now, with a legitimate former 40th goal scorer on the roster, the Canadiens at least have a better chance.

No one should be saying the Canadiens are a team by default. There isn’t really a team. Admittedly, Canadians have a lot of work to do to get there directly. However, as such, Laine’s low-risk, high-reward potential is a good fit, and the low-risk factor that comes with suggestions Laine could be a distraction in the locker room.

Any time you add a new high-level piece, you obviously risk changes in team chemistry. With Laine on his third team at the age of 26 following two trade requests that were finally honored, some may see the risk level high. However, coming off the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, Laine is in the middle of rebuilding his career. He will be looking to do everything he can to make this new professional relationship work, with two years left on his current contract, before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Furthermore, if the expectations of the Canadiens making the playoffs are low to begin with, could Laine be considered a threat in all seriousness?

As a result, Laine himself is not an obstacle the Canadiens face on the way to the playoffs in 2025. They can honestly be considered an asset as they look to take the next level together. Here are the top three though, with the Canadiens facing a lower number of setbacks compared to last season (indicating the continued rebuilding):

3. Canadian Objectives Against Them

One thing Laine will help with is goals scored, with the Canadiens finishing 26 of 232 in 2023-24. As a known offensive lineman, he will have no goals against (ranked 27th out of 281), the Canadiens also gave up the 30th-ranked shots at 33.4 per game.

Goalkeeper Samuel Montembeault still has a lot to prove as No. 1. However, stats like that (and his 7.7 goals-against-expectations at five-on-5, per MoneyPuck.com) say he can provide decent scoring. Of course, his .903 save percentage doesn’t herald the specials. However, as long as it’s in line with the league average and the Canadiens don’t build a goaltending team, they won’t be the one to cost them a spot (with 16 of 32 teams making the finals).

You can’t say that about the team’s defense, unfortunately. It is scheduled to include Justin Barron (23), Kaiden Guhle (22), Jayden Struble (23) and Arber Xhekaj (23). Of course, the hope is that they reduce the gun with natural growth and development, as each is one year older with accumulated experience to match. You can’t say that to Logan Mailloux (21) and Lane Hutson (20), though…

To be honest, nothing is certain, especially before training camp where jobs can be won. Furthermore, general manager Kent Hughes at least indicated that they weren’t afraid to send Hutson down to the American Hockey League if necessary, speaking to Tony Marinaro (translated from French):

“If he needs to improve certain aspects of his game and is better suited to play in the American Hockey League, we will send him there, but we will not keep him in the NHL just to make him stronger – play professional.”

Same thing it should stick with Mailloux, his defense could still use some work. If both of them fail to make the team (after the departure of Jordan Harris in the Laine trade), the defense should be much better thanks to everyone with more experience under their belts (perhaps with the exception of 34-year-old veteran David Savard, who has a lot of value in his leadership at this time ). However, a) logically at least one of them will be and b) even if the defense may not improve enough.

There are other factors to consider.

2. Canadiens’ Atlantic Division Competition

Having just finished last in the Atlantic Division, the Canadiens obviously have at least three teams to beat to make the playoffs. Each of the non-playoff teams above them are in similar positions in terms of each rebuild, although they are in different divisions.

Related: NHL Rebuild Rankings: 2024-25 Preseason Edition

However, as mentioned above in the piece, the Canadiens would seem to have taken a big step in their rebuilding efforts by acquiring Laine. On top of that, there is a legitimate argument that, compared to the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabers and Ottawa Senators, the Habs have improved significantly this offseason (even before Laine).

So, since the Canadiens operate independently and don’t rely directly on their competition to determine where they finish in the standings, this isn’t as much of a hindrance as it is to evaluate what’s going on. It is unlikely that they will have improved so much that they will overtake many teams looking to end their playoff drought. However, it’s still possible, one that remains strong with the way the postseason has played out.

1. Another Injury-plagued Season for the Canadiens

Even though Kirby Dach played just two games last season due to injury, the Canadiens have been healthier than ever in 2021-23, leading the league in men’s games lost for two straight seasons. In 2023-24 though, they are ranked third. According to the Cap Hit of Injured Players (CHIP), they may be ranked 12th, but that number doesn’t accurately reflect what a player like Dach ($3.36 million cap hit) means, as someone many see eventually eating Nick Suzuki instead. . the role of institution No.

Following a number 1-centre-esque season from Suzuki’s side, Dach’s usurpation has become an impossibility. However, that one assessment of Dach’s worth shows how much he is missed. Finally, as a third-round pick (2019), Dach has the ability to be an above-average 2-point center, not to mention a proven penchant for making his teammates better, which is why he ended up landing the job out of training camp. the season.

In case it wasn’t obvious, Dach did nothing to lose her. Because of this, we safely assume that the plan is to play Laine in his second line, because why not play an attacking player with a history of scoring 40 goals in an attacking role, Dach and not Laine can hold the key in this. the entire operation took the league by surprise and storm in 2024-25.

The Canadiens’ argument will be better as long as it’s healthy and reasonable. That is especially true about the Dach. The Habs had to play all of 2023-24 without a second-line center for all intents and purposes. They are still eight points clear at the top (after improving by 13 points in 2021-22, Dach’s first with the club). Another promotion should move them from 76 points to at least the top of playoff contention. And that’s simple math. Simply put, adding a rejuvenated Dach (and Laine) only gives the team the potential it wants.