Mike Matheson… who has been having difficulties offensively for three weeks. The Canadiens’ defenseman is no longer producing and he must step up before it’s too late.
It’s simple: the defenseman’s last point dates back to… March 11.
Matheson has been shut out in his last 10 games and it’s happening at the worst moment of the season.
Of course, Lane Hutson is taking up a lot of space right now… but still: the Canadiens’ veteran must start doing what he does best, which is to help his team offensively.
There’s Matheson who’s “disappointing” right now, but I’ve also targeted the names of four other players who must give more in my opinion.
Let’s start with whom?
I feel like talking about Emil Heineman…
1: Emil Heineman
The Canadiens’ big forward had a great start to the season and we could even say he was on fire in December, when he collected nine points in 14 games.
For a support player, that’s really respectable production.
The Swede hasn’t scored since January 3 (it’s been almost three months) and he’s not capable of earning a point since then.
Heineman has a meager assist in his last 22 games…
For a team to be able to win consistently, it needs the support of its four lines. Heineman has been playing on the second line for a few games, but he’s spent most of his time on the last line alongside Jake Evans and Joel Armia.
The fourth unit isn’t doing “badly,” but we need to see more.
That brings me to Evans…
2: Jake Evans
But…
But since the player signed the extension, he’s been slowing down. A bit like Heineman: Evans had great moments in December – especially during the holiday trip – and it’s been tougher since then.
I’m willing to give him a small break because he’s still excellent in his role on the penalty kill and he helps the Canadiens a lot in that regard.
However, we need to find the Jake Evans we saw before he signed his contract. The center only has eight points (two goals) in his last 37 games… and that’s not enough.
3: Alex Newhook
I said it recently in an article and I’ll say it again: I like what Alex Newhook has been bringing lately.
He’s using his speed to create chances and it seems like he’s able to exploit it more since his return to center.
That’s not the case with Newhook… who has only four small points in his last 15 games, since the beginning of March and since the Canadiens need to win important games.
He needs to convert his scoring chances to bring offense to the second unit. After all, Patrik Laine isn’t the best at 5-on-5 and it’s not Emil Heineman who will revive that line.
Newhook needs to be able to contribute to the Canadiens’ offensive successes.
Alex Newhook is basically what Arturi Lehkonen looked like with the Habs.
Will create so many chances but can’t bury it.
— Alex (@colegoalfield) April 2, 2025
4: Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes
I decided to put the two Canadiens goalies in the same “category” because neither of them has been excellent lately.
It seems to have improved a bit for Monty: the Quebecer has won his last two games – against the Panthers, no less – but he also had a tougher stretch in the last days of March.
He seemed tired… and that’s normal.
Dobes, on the other hand, hasn’t been playing much because the Canadiens are having trouble trusting him.
That’s normal too: the big goalie has only one win in his last nine starts and that’s not enough to allow the Habs to dream of glory.
Otherwise… we can forget about the playoffs right now.
Extension
I thought about including David Savard’s name on my list.
But at the same time… I find it hard to ask a 34-year-old veteran who’s slowing down significantly to give more on the ice.
He’s doing what he has to do: Savard blocks shots and plays his role on the penalty kill.
But at even strength, we know it’s tougher because it seems like his body isn’t always keeping up.
In short, all these guys need to find a way to wake up…
