Could Zack Bolduc be exactly what the Canadiens needed?

Bolduc scored again against Detroit before finishing with two points against Chicago on Saturday. Suddenly, through three games, he’s up to four points, with his ice time increasing every single night.

It’s hard not to be motivated when you’re playing for the team you grew up cheering for – especially when it’s the oldest franchise in the league.

Montreal made the postseason last year, ending a three-year drought. It was a surprising run, but aided by huge performances from Lane Hutson, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Samuel Montembeault, and company. The team looked legit – but something was missing. If the top line wasn’t producing, they lacked the offense to be truly dangerous.

This year? Different story. Ivan Demidov is with the team full-time after an incredible Draft+1 year in the KHL. Oliver Kapanen already looks like a beast, just based on his preseason and opening night performance. Patrik Laine – a multi-time 30-goal scorer – started the season on the fourth line.

And then there’s Bolduc. The Canadiens acquired him from the St. Louis Blues over the summer, sending defenseman Logan Mailloux the other way. It was a perfect deal for both teams – Montreal needed middle-six scoring help, and St. Louis needed a puck-moving defender. So far, so good for both sides – Mailloux impressed during the preseason for the Blues.

Bolduc was a play-driver in junior hockey, but has continued to improve his physical game in recent years. Everyone already knows about his excellent shot release, which is something he patented during his QMJHL days. But his commitment to improving his defensive awareness has made him a much more effective player at both ends. Scouts always applauded him for his hockey IQ, and he’s using it to do more than just score these days.

But, man, he loves to score. Between his powerful one-timers and his quick hands in tight, Bolduc just missed out on scoring 20 last year. It seems likely he’ll go north of that this year – perhaps 25 goals and another 20 assists? That wouldn’t be too shabby as a young forward with fewer than 100 games played to his credit.

While Montreal has already had its ups and downs to start the season, you can’t deny that the offense looks a bit more dangerous than before. The scoring depth is the deepest it has been in a few years now, and Bolduc is a big reason for that. There’s nothing truly spectacular about Bolduc’s game – he’s no Demidov. But the Canadiens needed someone who could shoot and generate quality chances in the middle six, and Bolduc fits the need perfectly.

Bolduc’s arrival essentially pushed Josh Anderson further down the lineup, which should be a net positive for both players’ styles. It also gives Kirby Dach a legit shooting threat by his side, especially if Brendan Gallagher doesn’t hover around the 20-goal mark again.

Only time will tell how long Bolduc’s hot play lasts. It’s a small sample size. But the Canadiens are a team on the rise, and they look set to challenge for a playoff spot for the second straight year. Secondary-scoring was a big topic for the Canadiens this summer, and now it’s looking like they could have as many as five 20-goal scorers this season.

Bolduc still holds an 82-game goal streak. That’s not going to happen, but he’s already looking like a true breakthrough candidate. He’s gelling well, scoring, and giving the Canadiens a chance to win every time he hits the ice. You always have to be careful with small sample sizes, but Bolduc has proven to be a matchup nightmare early on in a way few other middle-six players have managed to do in Montreal in recent years.

Habs fans, you might have found your secret scoring weapon.

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