The Montréal Canadiens, the first round opponent of the New York Rangers, made a controversial coaching change in February. The team brought back former coach Claude Julien after he was let go by the Boston Bruins.
Another Tough Draw for the Rangers
Last season, the stuttering Pittsburgh Penguins made a mid-season coaching change. Mike Sullivan’s system and personnel changes catalyzed the team to a Stanley Cup. The Canadiens are hoping to follow suit.
The Rangers had the tough draw of facing the red-hot Penguins in the first round and it did not end well. For the second year in a row, they will face a team that is peaking at the right time after an in-season coaching change.
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A crossover to the Atlantic is certainly preferable to trying to fight their way through the brutal Metropolitan. But the Habs are a physical, defensive team that will cause problems for the speed and finesse of the Rangers. This matchup looks more difficult than it did a few weeks ago.
The Canadiens were in a funk, but the bold coaching change for a team in playoff position has seemed to pay off since. The team has responded, going 15-6-1 after the switch. The Canadiens have locked down the top stop in the Atlantic Division and will be a formidable opponent for the Rangers in the first round.
Defense First
Julien’s system is designed to limit the opposition’s chances. A look at the stats shows that has held true. The Canadiens’ possession numbers, goals, shooting percentages, and scoring chances have all gotten worse since the switch. But the team’s goals against, scoring chances against, shooting percentage against, and save percentage have all improved.
The penalty kill has thrived under Julien. The unit was 22nd in the NHL, killing penalties at 79.4% under Michel Therrien. They have been the best unit in the league since Julien took over, killing penalties at an impressive 88.4%. Julien installed an aggressive system which has been effectively disrupting.
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The Rangers have scored over three goals a game during the regular season. The Canadiens will try to limit their chances and rely on Carey Price, whose goals against and save percentage have improved since Julien took over. The Canadiens also possess a deeper defensive group and added playoff-friendly bulk at the trade deadline.
But Can They Score?
Scoring has been the issue for Julien’s teams. The coach was fired in his first stint with Montreal in 2006, after he had replaced Therrien the first time. Former Ranger Alexei Kovalev was a Canadien at the time. He and other players said that Julien’s defensive style shackled their offense.
Goals will likely have to come from the top two lines as they’re not getting much from the bottom six. The top line of Max Pacioretty, Alex Radulov, and Phillip Danault is dangerous. The second line of Paul Byron, Tomas Plekanec, and Brendan Gallagher has coalesced since Gallagher’s return from injury and is playing well.
Final Thoughts
Claude Julien is a Stanley Cup winning coach who has the Canadiens playing well. His system is centered around defense and Corey Price, and the players have responded to his positive message.
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Under Julien, the Canadiens are going into the playoffs as a confident group. They will try to out muscle the Rangers’ finesse and limit their scoring chances. It will be challenging for the Rangers to break through and score enough goals to win the series.