The Montreal Canadiens have kicked off their season with promising goaltending, particularly from Samuel Montembeault, who has dazzled fans as he emerged as one of the league's top goalies in the first week. However, the optimism took a blow as the Canadiens faced a disappointing 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Rising Stars or Questions Abound?

Despite the optimism surrounding a roster filled with potential young talent, Montreal continues to face challenges. The rebuild has produced a plethora of new players, yet none have emerged as standout stars capable of turning games around. The Canadiens are still desperately seeking a 40-goal scorer in the 21st century, a statistic that underscores their struggle to find elite talent. Ivan Demidov, the team's promising fifth overall draft pick in 2024, could be the answer due to his impressive skill set, but only time will tell.

On the defensive end, a similar dilemma persists. The Canadiens are in search of a first-pair defender who can neutralize top competition. Enter Kaiden Guhle, who has garnered praise from Head Coach Martin St. Louis. Guhle’s recent performances suggest he might just be the shutdown defender Montreal desperately needs. Remarkably, he has bounced back from an appendectomy just three weeks prior, demonstrating resilience as he skillfully defends against the league's best players.

Guhle showed his offensive potential by scoring an early goal in the matchup against Pittsburgh, increasing his impressive plus/minus rating to +6—far superior to any of his teammates. His advanced metrics in Corsi and expected goals also underscore his importance to the team. Alongside Lane Hutson, the pair is quickly turning into a dynamic defensive duo.

A Game of Two Halves

The Canadiens’ performance was dismal in the first period, taking over half the period to register their first shot on goal. However, a renewed offensive energy transformed the game in the second period where player Nick Suzuki showcased his playmaking skills with two assists. Particularly notable was his perfect setup for Juraj Slafkovsky, who found an open net.

In a surprising twist, Emil Heineman netted a powerful goal that marked the Canadiens' first lead of the night. Heineman's hard shot is precisely why General Manager Kent Hughes insisted on him in the trade with Calgary, proving to be an astute addition to the squad. The young forward appears to have a bright future ahead, especially if his offensive skills can continue to flourish.

Room for Improvement

Despite a promising second period, the Canadiens need to address their glaring deficiencies. The second line, which was abysmal last season, has yet to prove it has awakened from its slumber. Kirby Dach, recovering from knee surgery, has struggled to regain his previous form, hampering his ability to drive the play alongside Alex Newhook and Joel Armia. The second line must deliver more if the Canadiens hope to rise up the standings.

While the Canadiens’ current success doesn’t mirror their underlying analytics, goaltending remains the only area where they've excelled. Montembeault boasts an incredible Goals Saved Above Expected score of 6.6 in his first two games, a figure that cannot be sustained without bolstering the defensive efforts.

Currently, Montreal's top line, which was hoped to be prolific this year, struggles with a mere 40 share of expected goals, a stark contrast to their previous season’s performance. The numbers tell a concerning story, and without a marked improvement, the playoffs seem like a distant dream.

Conclusion: Striving for Consistency

As the Canadiens search for cohesion and consistency in both their lines and partnerships, the path ahead remains uncertain. Short sample sizes can lead to overreactions, but as the stakes rise, so must the performance of this team. The time to step up is now if they wish to turn the season around. With many games left to play, fans can only hope the Canadiens will find the right mix of skill, tenacity, and teamwork.