Canadiens’ lack of depth is catching up to them

The Montreal Canadiens were again dominated by the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Final series Wednesday night, losing 4-0 and being outshot 44-18. It was the third straight game the Canadiens were at least doubled by the Hurricanes in the shot department, as the totals were 39-13 in Game 3 and 26-12 in Game 2.

The series has showcased the skill and relentless style Carolina plays with, but it’s also highlighted the lack of depth Montreal has on the front end. Beyond the likes of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook, the Habs have struggled the generate any scoring chances, let alone actual production.

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Daily Faceoff managing editor Matt Larkin discuss the Canadiens’ struggles and what their most glaring need could be.

Tyler Yaremchuk: I’d be stunned if the Canadiens win Game 5 on Friday night. It’s so hard for them to generate right now. The fact they got 18 shots in Game 4, that’s more than they had in Games 2 and 3.

Matt Larkin: Look at the Habs’ top line: Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Territorially in this series, they’ve been OK. They’ve been the only line that’s got anything tilting the ice the other way. I go back to the Trade Deadline, where Montreal was one of the only contenders who didn’t add. They were stuck with Patrik Laine and $8.7-million cap hit. I think they wanted to move it, but it didn’t work, and they couldn’t bring in what they really needed, which is a No. 2 center.

I think now it’s finally catching up to them, they’re relying too much on the first line, and they just don’t have depth. I think this is a team that, as we go into the summer, they can prioritize adding a No. 2 center … we know Michael Hage is the long-term option, but he’s staying in college for another year, so GM Kent Hughes has got to start thinking about yet — not yet, because the series is not over, but certainty feels like it.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…