January 26th, 1983
Trade Deadline Analysis Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens get ready for the stretch run with 28 games left in the schedule and the trade deadline set for February 1st. Montreal is really a bubble team, currently holding the 1st Wild Card Spot in the East, a point ahead of the Lightning who have a game in hand. The Capitals would be next with 60 points in 53 games. But what motivates me to get to the dance is that we were an 8th seed less than 24 months ago and won it all with some incredible playoff performances by guys still in the line-up.
Atlantic | GP | W | L | OT | PTS | DIFF |
Florida Panthers | 56 | 34 | 14 | 8 | 76 | 56 |
Buffalo Sabres | 52 | 32 | 14 | 6 | 70 | 35 |
Boston Bruins | 54 | 31 | 19 | 4 | 66 | 31 |
Montreal Canadiens | 54 | 30 | 21 | 3 | 63 | 16 |
Tampa Bay Lightning | 53 | 29 | 20 | 4 | 62 | 9 |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 53 | 23 | 27 | 3 | 49 | -9 |
Detroit Red Wings | 57 | 22 | 30 | 5 | 49 | -44 |
Ottawa Senators | 55 | 21 | 29 | 5 | 47 | -32 |
G
Mike Blackshear was 16-5 in the playoffs that season with a 1.62 GAA and .934 save %. LD
Marc-Andre Berube had 10 points in 21 games with a +14 rating. LW
Lorenzo Bocci had 7 goals and 18 points with a +9 rating in 21 games. C
Chris Hughes had 8 goals and 18 points in 21 games with a +10 rating. C
Dave Wright had 7 goals and 16 points with a +8 rating.
An area of concern for Montreal based on their defensive style, is the lack of shot blocking. Montreal uses the "Collapsing to the Net" defensive style and it requires good shot blocking. This is supported by the fact the many of the goals against this season have been scored from the point by defenseman. The Top forward shot blockers in the NHL are currently around 50 or more including the NHL leader Winnipeg Jets LW
Will Newby with 87. Montreal's top forward at shot blocking is "captain" C
Chris Hughes with 56.
Montreal Canadiens Rankings |
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Goals F per Game | 2.83 | 9th |
Goals A per Game | 2.57 | 17th |
Shots F per Game | 34 | 5th |
Shots A per Game | 26 | 2nd |
PP % | 14.3% | 19th |
PK % | 82.5% | 23rd |
FO % | 51.9% | 5th |
Shots Blocked | 636 | 29th |
Hits | 1078 | 28th |
So the hunt will start for a shot blocking forward, hopefully one that likes to give out the occasional hit.