Let's get one thing clear first. We agree that the Canadian is not of the same caliber as the Avalanche. At this point, Team Colorado is in a class of its own.
However, the Canadian is doing a very good job.
We saw him again during his annual vacation, which led to the midway point of the season. His second-place finish in the Atlantic Division and sixth overall heading into Monday's action is the result of hard work.
Enough to reassure fans who, with good reason, feared a relapse even before the start of the season.
Plus a team of four fourth lines
Luck has nothing to do with it. This team works hard and never gives up.
This would make Maurice Richard and Guy Lafleur proud, who were keen to say that we must continue to work even in difficult times.
Canada is no longer a four-fourth-place team, as Lafleur said. It is a pity that he is no longer around to witness the metamorphosis that changes the face of the club whose colors he valiantly defended.
The success of a sports organization starts at the top, to use a community expression.
For more than 25 years, the Canadian has been moving in circles rather than moving forward. There were some bright spots here and there, especially in 2010 and 2014, when the team reached the final four.
2021 also saw participation in the finals, which took the city to the streets while we were still in the midst of the battle with COVID. But the window immediately closed.
Finally attack!
There is real reason for hope today. CH has definitely come out of great darkness. There is no longer any reason to doubt.
The indicators are growing. With 52 points in hand, the Habs, after 42 games, have eight more points than last year.
What about his offensive output?
His 141 goals, 15 more than last season, also placed him sixth in the National League heading into Monday's matches. This is another thing that we are not used to.
The massive offense ranked eighth with an average efficiency of 23.8 percent. That's an improvement of nearly two percent from last year (21.9 percent) and a jump of seven spots at the league level.
Defense is more difficult, as evidenced by his 27e place in the head of goals allowed and his 23e position on the average efficiency of the reduced team (77.6 percent).
Lack of stability in front of the net is a reason, but it doesn't explain everything.
Slafkovsky in adulthood
On an individual level there are many positives.
Here they are:
– Nick Suzuki continues to gain momentum. He is at the peak of his career. There are other wonderful seasons ahead. If he could be more effective on faceoffs, he'd be perfect.
– Lane Hutson is a natural. He was born with skates on his feet and a hockey stick in his hand.
– Cole Caufield has become more than just a scorer. He goes into his zone and cuts passes. Martin St. Louis made him a hockey player.
– Ivan Demidov: This is just the beginning. The young man is good, determined and full of enthusiasm. Who do you choose between him and Matvey Michkov?
– Juraj Slafkowski: The first overall pick of the 2022 draft is delivering on its promise. Now he is an important cog in his team.
– Noah Dobson: While not brilliant, he is generally reliable. He would score over 50 points this season. A good buy who turns only 26 on Wednesday.
– Mike Matheson is the quiet force every team is looking for. He made the transition without complaint from a massive attack to units tasked with eliminating numerical superiority. An exemplary role model for his young teammates.
– Oliver Kapanen has already shown his skills in the short time he spent in Montreal. He returned to Sweden to improve his skills, and this is the result. A good player for many years to come.
AND trainer behind your players
I couldn't finish this article without mentioning Martin Saint-Louis. He was the first to say that he was still learning the role of coach. But overall he is doing well.
He contributes to the team spirit that permeates the ranks and brings a positive presence behind the bench. He jumps when one of his players scores in overtime.
After reading this column, some of you will say that the Stanley Cup is not far from Montreal. No, I won't tell you to reserve your seat for the Parade of Champions next June.
I'll let you know when the time comes.
But we can at least appreciate what the Canadian is showing us now. We've been waiting for this for ages.
