Habs Players Can Use Rest Before the Playoffs

First off, let’s go with the obvious: forward Brendan Gallagher is far from the player that he once was, but he still plays with a ton of heart and determination every single game. Unfortunately, his legs can’t keep up with his heart and head like they used to, and it has led to him losing a lot of what makes him an effective grinder for the Canadiens. This is especially the case when he plays With the back-to-backs that the Habs have had in recent weeks and one more to go next week, giving him a few nights off before the end of the season could allow him to become a fresher version of himself for the playoffs. Gallagher has recently played 6 games in the last 9 days, which has seen him slow down with each game that he has played. Unfortunately, with the injured Alexandre Texier not on their recent 5-game road trip, there was nobody that was able to take his spot in the lineup. Based on the original timeline, Texier should be able to return soon, allowing Gallagher the rest that he needs.

Gallagher’s grinding style of play has been very effective come playoff time despite his 5’9″, 175 lb frame throughout his career, and even though he may be older with his body slowing down a lot this season, he can still be an important bottom-six forward for the Habs thanks to his previous playoff experience. The reality is the team is very young and could use some veteran presence in the lineup come playoff time, which is something Brendan Gallagher can bring.

Along with Gallagher, who is aging quickly, the same can be said with his linemate Phillip Danault. This season Danault has seen a deep decline in what he was previously during his career. The Canadiens traded a 2nd round pick to re-acquire Danault from the Los Angeles Kings back in December after he got off to a rough start to his season, where he had just 5 assists in 30 games. Compared to his 8 goals and 43 points in 80 games last season, it is a huge drop in overall production.

Yes, he bounced back a bit with the Habs with 5 goals and 11 points in his first 27 games during his return to the Habs, but as of writing this article he hasn’t recorded a point in his 14 games. A lot of this could be related to fatigue for both him and Gallagher. There is also the fact that Danault may be dealing with a minor injury at this point as well. Despite this, Danault has continued to be a great defensive centre on most nights, but rest could allow him to regain some of the offensive ability that he showed before his production completely disappeared. Joe Veleno, whose actual current linemate could take on the defensive centre role for the last few games of the season so that Danault can be fresh and recover to be a more solid veteran depth centre come playoff time. We should also get to see top prospect Michael Hage get a game or two to end this season once his college season ends.

In terms of defensemen, there isn’t anyone that needs it as bad as the two forwards above, but giving a minute muncher like Mike Matheson a game or two off before the playoffs could be good for the Habs leader in ice time for the past four years. It has been yet another hard season for the defenseman who is averaging 24:14 a night, and a few nights off could help him be fresher for a potential playoff run wherever he will be very key late in games when they need someone to play a shutdown role. Among the players that could use rest, Matheson is by far the one that will be the most important to the team for a run. There are moments where Matheson struggles due to fatigue which is why the rest could only be good for him ahead of the playoffs. It could also be a perfect time to test where David Reinbacher or Adam Engstrom are in their development by giving them an NHL game at the end of the year.

Of course, all these players getting rest would need to depend on if the team can stay healthy over the next 3-4 games, but it would definitely help both the players above and the team to get the best versions of them.

Are there any other players that you would like to see the Habs potentially rest before the playoffs?