The Montreal Canadiens are facing a paradoxical offensive situation as they head into the heart of the NHL season. Despite ranking an impressive fifth in league scoring with 3.27 goals per game, the team's underlying numbers reveal a troubling trend: a severe reluctance to shoot the puck.
A Modern Problem with a Vintage Solution
The issue brings to mind the simple, timeless advice of former Canadiens coach Claude Ruel, who led the team to the Stanley Cup in 1969. His mantra was straightforward: “skate, skate, skate; shoot, shoot, shoot.” While the current, youthful Canadiens squad has the speed component mastered, the second part of that equation is glaringly absent.
Entering the Christmas break, the statistics are stark. Montreal sits 29th in the NHL in shots per game, averaging just 25.4. This low volume makes their scoring efficiency remarkable. The team is converting a league-high 12.9% of their shots into goals, trailing only the Dallas Stars (14%), who ironically rank 31st in shots.
St. Louis's Message Falling on Deaf Ears
Head coach Martin St. Louis has repeatedly encouraged his players to adopt a shoot-first mentality, but his pleas seem to be met with resistance from a core group of pass-first thinkers. The primary exception is sniper Cole Caufield, who leads the team with 18 goals on 103 shots—a 17.5% success rate.
Another bright spot is rookie scoring leader Ivan Demidov, who boasts an 18.4% shooting percentage. However, his impact is limited by a mere 49 shots on net. His ninth goal, scored in a 6-2 road win over the Boston Bruins on December 23, came on a solo breakaway where a pass wasn't an option—highlighting the potential of more aggressive play.
That victory in Boston, the Canadiens' first at TD Garden since 2019, capped a strong 5-1-2 run and left Montreal enjoying the holidays in second place in the competitive Atlantic Division.
Goaltending Depth and a Key Trade
The team's recent success has coincided with the stellar play of rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler. Since his call-up, Fowler has posted a 3-1-1 record with a 2.40 GAA, a .918 save percentage, and a shutout. Jakub Dobes has also been impressive, allowing only five goals in his last three appearances (2-0-1).
This creates a logjam with veteran Sam Montembeault, who is set to return from a conditioning assignment. His reintegration poses a strategic challenge for the coaching staff as the team embarks on a demanding five-game post-Christmas road trip.
Off the ice, General Manager Kent Hughes made a significant move to bolster the center position, re-acquiring Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings. Danault, who played a key role in Montreal's 2021 Stanley Cup Final run, is expected to strengthen faceoffs and defensive matchups, easing the burden on captain Nick Suzuki.
Looking Ahead: A Road Test and a Women's Hockey Showcase
The Canadiens' ability to maintain their winning percentage will be tested on their upcoming road swing, starting December 29 in Tampa. Whether they can continue their high-efficiency scoring without increasing shot volume remains a central question.
Meanwhile, with the Bell Centre available during the road trip, the Montreal Victoire of the PWHL will host the Toronto Sceptres on December 28 in the third annual Duel at the Top. The game, which will draw over 20,000 fans, features a battle for second place in the league standings.
The core challenge for the Canadiens is clear. To sustain their position as a top team in the Atlantic, they must find a way to blend their creative, pass-happy style with a more direct and frequent shooting approach, finally heeding the calls of both their current coach and the echoes of their storied past.
