December 20, 2024 | 7:25pm ET
By David Calabretta, TheFourthPeriod.com
HABS’ FIVE WISHES THIS CHRISTMAS
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Cole Caufield, forward
MONTREAL, QC — Christmas is right around the corner, less than one week away, and the Montreal Canadiens currently sit 28th in the standings with a 12-16-3 record.
After making a move to add a veteran presence on the blueline Wednesday, acquiring defenceman Alexandre Carrier from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Justin Barron, GM Kent Hughes will continue to explore the trade market to both add pieces and sell off assets ahead of the trade deadline.
Additional moves aside, here are five things the organization is asking for this Christmas to end the season on the right note:
1. Health
Health is wealth, and the Canadiens are finally playing with a full squad after failing to do so since the hiring of head coach Marty St. Louis in February of 2022. Whether it was Kirby Dach’s season-ending injury last season, or the devastating blow to Patrik Laine to kickstart this season, the Canadiens will most definitely want their guys to remain healthy as they head into the second half of their season just seven points away from a wildcard spot.
2. Shoot more than 30 shots in a game
A troubling stat to say the least for the Canadiens, as they have not recorded 30 or more shots on goal this season throughout 31 games, which tied the NHL record after Tuesday’s contest versus the Buffalo Sabres in their 6-1 win where they had only 26 shots. Shots don’t always tell the full story, but for the Canadiens, it’s a big part of their issues. Throughout the 31 games played this season, the Habs have scored less than three goals 26 times, a concerning statistic. You can’t score if you don’t shoot, and that pretty much sums up the situation the Habs currently face.
3. Slafkovsky to return in second half form
A return to the first line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield might just be the best motivation possible for 2022 first-overall pick, who looks to produce consistently again. It is safe to assume the Canadiens are hoping Slafkovsky can return to pace in which he finished last season, where he picked up 36 points in 42 games while playing on the club’s top line. Slafkovsky saw success in his second game since returning on the line Tuesday night with a one-goal and one-assist performance against the disastrous Sabres. Slafkovsky now has 17 points in 28 games this season. Here’s to hoping the promotion brings back the winger that Kent Hughes signed for at a $7.6 million cap hit.
4. Establish a winning culture
The biggest struggle so far throughout this rebuild in Montreal has been the struggle to establish a long winning streak. The longest winning streak since Martin St.Louis was hired during his debut days when the Habs got a five-game winning spell in 2022. Since then, the longest streak has been held in no more than three games. This season, the Habs have won no more than two games in a row, leading them not to have those winning moments for too long. A long win streak can do very well for the young team’s confidence and set a winning attitude throughout the locker room.
5. Caufield scores 40 goals
The Habs haven’t had a 40-goal scorer since Vincent Damphousse in the 1993-94 season! To figure out how long this is, this was the first year that Gary Bettman took charge of the NHL, and the debut year of the “Bell Centre.” Caufield has had an amazing first half of the season so far for the Montreal Canadiens, with 17 goals and 12 assists throughout 31 games. His goal scoring ability has cooled off slightly, thanks to the arrival of Patrik Laine on the powerplay, but he would only need 23 goals in the next 51 games to make this standard possible, and I think he does it.