Canadiens Aim to Boost Bottom Six Offense
Martin St-Louis is experimenting with his bottom six forwards to increase offensive output by swapping Joe Veleno and Brendan Gallagher. The Montreal Canadiens held practice Monday morning in Brossard, where St-Louis made a notable change despite generally keeping the same lineup this season except when injuries required adjustments.
The coach moved Brendan Gallagher from his veteran line to play again with Kirby Dach and Zack Bolduc. This change placed Joe Veleno alongside Jake Evans and Josh Anderson. St-Louis emphasized that he is satisfied with the effort and style of these lines but hopes the switch will spark more offense.
Performance Before the Swap
- Gallagher played the first five games with Dach and Bolduc, tallying 4 points out of his 6 for the season in that span.
- Bolduc contributed 4 points in those five games.
- Dach earned 2 of his 3 points during that time.
- Evans and Anderson played their first five games with Patrik Laine but remained scoreless despite Laine’s efforts.
The lack of predictability in Laine’s play affected Evans and Anderson, who are used to a more direct style.
“It’s not that I’m dissatisfied with those two lines; I’m happy with their intentions and how they play the game, but I want to see if this swap can generate more offense.” – Martin St-Louis
Background Context
- Gallagher initially started the season with Dach and Bolduc.
- Veleno and Evans had limited success while paired with Laine.
- St-Louis is exploring ways to maximize his roster’s offensive potential through tactical adjustments.
Additional Notes
This move reflects the Canadiens' readiness to adapt their strategy mid-season in pursuit of better results and highlights the coaching staff’s proactive approach to player deployment.
Author’s summary: The Canadiens are testing a key lineup change by swapping Veleno and Gallagher to unlock greater offensive potential from their bottom-six forwards without questioning the players’ dedication or playing style.