(Calgary) When Brendan Gallagher is upset, he speaks quietly. Tuesday evening, after the defeat of the Canadiens against the Winnipeg Jets, it was hard to hear what he was saying as his tone was muted. Something was wrong.
Posted at 7:00 a.m.
“I don’t know what to say,” he breathed. I’ve had lethargies before in my career, but never like this. »
Often severe with himself, the veteran has this time accurately described the situation in which he finds himself. It’s been 17 games that he hasn’t scored a goal. Since he contracted COVID-19 and injured himself, his drought has now lasted for more than three months.
It is indeed unheard of since he gave his first shots in the NHL. In 2016-17, arguably his toughest season to date, he had 10, 13 and 15 game scoreless streaks. In 2013-2014, a drought stretched over 11 games. Other than that, he has never gone more than 9 games without scoring. This makes sense for a player who has scored at least 28 goals, or the equivalent in a shortened calendar, 6 times with the Canadian.
“I try to remember that the process takes precedence over the results,” he said again on Tuesday. In the last five or six games I’ve had good chances to score, but for some reason it doesn’t fit. I must continue to do what I have always done. »
What he has always done is actually a very ambitious commission. Because during the 2018-2019 to 2020-2021 seasons, which he spent mostly on the right of Phillip Danault and Tomas Tatar, Gallagher was not just one of the best forwards in the NHL at even strength. He was absolutely the best.
In that window, 388 forwards have spent at least 1,000 minutes on the ice at five-on-five. The Canadian winger led this group in five statistical categories. He finished second in goals scored per 60 minutes of play (behind only Auston Matthews) and first in expected goals, shots on target, shot attempts and quality scoring chances (every time per 60 minutes).
This season, it’s not catastrophic at all when you look at the last four indicators. Gallagher has certainly slipped, but remains among the top 25 in the NHL.
However, at five against five, usually his specialty, he still has not scored in 36 games. He is therefore not exaggerating when he deplores that the puck “does not fit” in the goal.
The four successes on his record were achieved on the power play (3) or in an empty net (1). Result: unless there is a major turnaround, this season will end with the worst offensive harvest of his career.
The Hoffman case
As we have seen, Gallagher does, theoretically, the right things to find the road to success. But one can nevertheless wonder which teammates could best help him in his quest.
Mike Hoffman is the player No. 11 has played with the most times this season. However, it is also the one with which he has the least affinity.
A look at the Canadiens’ performances when Gallagher is on the ice with his most frequent playing partners confirms that. When he and Hoffman skate together, the CH get fewer shots, generate fewer quality scoring chances and score fewer goals than with most other forwards at the club.
The best partners for him so far have been Nick Suzuki, Jake Evans and Artturi Lehkonen. His association with Laurent Dauphin did not generate many goals, but the chances are there. Tyler Toffoli was also a quality accomplice, but he is no longer with the team.
It’s also difficult with Christian Dvorak. However, as he and Gallagher each missed a lot of action, they have not met in the same match since November 29. Dvorak had all sorts of difficulties in his debut with the Canadiens, but he did better afterwards before getting injured.
In short, all is not lost for Brendan Gallagher. Like all good scorers, a first goal could start him on a happy streak, especially if he continues to generate offense as he already does.
Perhaps he will be able to do so by staying with Mike Hoffman? Coaches to judge.