The Top Two Lines of the Montreal Canadiens Are Broken: What’s Going Wrong?

The Montreal Canadiens, one of the NHL’s most storied franchises, have faced a number of challenges in recent seasons, and their 2024 campaign is shaping up to be no different. One of the most concerning issues for fans and analysts alike is the current state of the Canadiens’ top two lines. Once the driving force of their offense, these lines now appear disjointed, lacking chemistry, and failing to deliver consistent production. But what’s really going wrong?

Inconsistent Play and Injuries

One of the biggest culprits in the Canadiens’ top-line struggles has been inconsistency, largely driven by injuries. Key players like Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Kirby Dach have faced their share of injury woes, leading to constant lineup shuffling. Without consistent linemates, it’s been difficult for any combination to build chemistry and find a rhythm. Injuries have not only reduced the availability of star players but also forced head coach Martin St. Louis to experiment with new and often unproven line combinations, resulting in a disjointed offensive attack.

Lack of Depth Support

Another major factor contributing to the Canadiens’ top-line struggles is the lack of depth support. In today’s NHL, even the best top lines require contributions from the bottom six forwards to take some pressure off the stars. Unfortunately, Montreal’s depth scoring has been lacking, meaning that opponents can focus heavily on shutting down the top lines without fear of being burned by the secondary units. This has made life difficult for players like Caufield and Suzuki, who find themselves facing tougher defensive matchups night after night.

Chemistry Issues

Chemistry, or the lack thereof, has also been a significant issue for the Canadiens’ top two lines. While Suzuki and Caufield have shown flashes of brilliance together in the past, the supporting pieces haven’t consistently clicked. Whether it’s due to frequent changes in linemates or players simply not meshing well stylistically, the Canadiens haven’t found the right combinations to maximize their top talent. Players like Dach, Sean Monahan, and Brendan Gallagher have been rotated in and out of the top lines, but nothing has stuck.

A Path Forward?

For the Canadiens to fix their broken top lines, they need stability and health. Establishing consistent linemates for Suzuki and Caufield should be a priority, allowing them to develop the chemistry needed to thrive. Depth scoring must improve, and younger players need to step up to take some of the offensive burden off the top guys. If Montreal can address these issues, their offense could once again become a strength rather than a glaring weakness. However, until these problems are resolved, the Canadiens’ chances of making a playoff push remain uncertain.