The Canadian ranks last in the NHL in goals scored by forwards and Martin St-Louis emphasized the need to attack the heart of the offensive zone during practice on Tuesday.
The Montreal club’s forwards scored 52 times in 28 games, while the defensemen provided 21 goals, which is good for second in the NHL in this regard.
Overall, the Habs ranked 27th on the Bettman circuit for goals per game before Tuesday’s games.
“We stay too much on the outskirts,” said St-Louis. I like the time we spend in the offensive zone, but we should be able to generate more goals. »
The reflex is to imagine seeing the Canadian send a big player in front of the goalkeeper to solve this problem. In reality, the St-Louis solution is a little more refined.
“We need guys to go to the slot, try shots so that they are deflected and that we generate more attacks in general,” said Nick Suzuki, author of eight goals this season. We’ve been working to improve several aspects of our game. We’re now focusing on one of the final pieces of the puzzle. »
Asked who were some of the good “go inside” players St. Louis had seen during his career, he talked about Dave Andreychuck and Peter Forsberg. The former was a six-foot-four giant who scored more than 600 NHL goals, while Forsberg was a go-getter, but often paid the price and his career was cut short by injuries.
Cole Caufield will never play the same style of hockey as these two players, but he too needs to find a way to be in the pay zone more often.
“For him, it’s more a question of going to the crease and I think he’s good at isolating himself in places where he can shoot one-timers,” Suzuki said of his accomplice. .
Caufield only has seven goals on the clock after 28 games. Its efficiency rate is only 6.7%. Last season, he scored 26 goals in 46 games thanks to an efficiency rate of 16.5%.
“I don’t think too much about the last season. I’m focused on the next game, my next shift, my next shot,” Caufield said. I want to regain my confidence in the next match. »
“I keep telling myself that the next shot is going to go in. That’s how I have to see things. And I hope the next one comes in! »
St-Louis noted that a player must continually reinvent himself during his career, because the opponent will adjust to him.
“Cole is going through this right now,” St-Louis said. He’s young, but it’s not an easy league. I know he hasn’t forgotten how to score. He must continue to produce chances. »
“And where do the chances come from? It’s rare that they are outside [en périphérie], continued the head coach. The chances are within [dans l’enclave]. And more without the puck than with the puck. If he gets the puck in the right place, he knows how to score. We want to help him find his bearings. »
Caufield will try to wake up from his torpor on Wednesday, when the Canadian hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Habs have won only two of their last six games (2-3-1).
Harris back after Christmas?
Defender Jordan Harris will be on the sidelines for another 10 to 14 days, the Canadian announced on Tuesday.
Harris hasn’t played since Nov. 18 against the Boston Bruins. He then returned to play after treating an upper body injury.
The 23-year-old American then briefly accompanied his teammates to California before returning to Montreal to undergo examinations. The team announced Nov. 21 that Harris was dealing with a lower-body injury, without specifying a timeline.
Harris has three assists in 16 games this season.