Zack Bolduc Is Off To A Hot Start

Bolduc has shown that he can score goals in numerous ways already through two games. During Wednesday’s game, he showed his ability to handle the puck in the tight areas when he grabbed a Brendan Gallagher rebound with his forehand and shifted it quickly to his backhand to put the puck past Anthony Stolarz for his first goal as a Hab. Aside from that goal, the rest of his game against the Maple Leafs was quiet, but he did get to show some of his physicality on the forecheck by delivering 2 hits in the game. 

Bolduc’s bid for dominance came against the Detroit Red Wings, where he opened the scoring with a great wrist shot as he drove the net off a pass from Gallagher in the neutral zone. With that goal, Bolduc was able to show not only his wicked wrister but also his smarts and skating abilities as he was the one who started the play by getting the puck at centre ice, sending it back to Mike Matheson, who found Gallagher that sprung Bolduc, who skated into an open hole to get past the defense for his 2nd goal as a Canadien. 

Later on, he seemed to have tipped in an Alex Carrier shot that gave the Habs a 4-1 lead. The goal was originally given to Bolduc, but during the 2nd intermission, it was switched back to Carrier’s goal. It’s still possible that Bolduc got a little tip of his stick on the shot; nonetheless, if he wasn’t there to help screen John Gibson, it likely wouldn’t have gone in the net. Therefore, he showed he can be good at screening a goalie.

Gallagher and Bolduc have already developed such great chemistry together on the Habs’ 3rd line through 2 games, which has taken some of the pressure off the top line when it comes to offense. While Gallagher has helped push Bolduc to be a better player, it also seems like playing with Bolduc has helped the Habs’ oldest forward find a fountain of youth with his game. Gallagher has looked similar to the player he was during his prime as he has found some of the speed he had during his younger years with the Habs.

On top of his goal-scoring abilities, Bolduc has proven that he has a good defensive game that could make him more trusted in any situation that head coach Martin St. Louis puts him into. 

The only thing we haven’t really had a chance to see in Bolduc’s game is whether or not he has good playmaking to come along with his shot. It is something that remains to be seen, but if he can develop his playmaking game, it will allow him to be less predictable as the season goes forward.  

Bolduc clearly can become a top 6 forward with the Canadiens. Do you think he will get a chance to play in the top 6, or is he better off in his duo with Gallagher?