Montreal hasn't clicked offensively yet, but they'll have the chance to find their scoring touch against PWHL New York.
Montreal hasn't clicked offensively yet, but they'll have the chance to find their scoring touch against PWHL New York.
When people say PWHL Montreal's first three signings - Marie-Philip Poulin, Ann-Renee Desbiens, and Laura Stacey - expectations immediately launched sky-high.
They followed that by drafting and signing Erin Ambrose and Kristen O'Neill, members of Canada's national team, along with Czech national team members Tereza Vanisova and Dominika Laskova. They brought in pro veterans like Jillian Dempsey, Kennedy Marchment, and Ann-Sophie Bettez, and sprinkled young players like Gabrielle David, Claire Dalton, Madison Bizal, and Maureen Murphy.
Through their first two games, there were glimpses of the brilliance many expected, there were also signs that things weren't going to be easy for Montreal night in and night out.
With PWHL New York up next, Montreal will look to find their magic and gather momentum.
Where Will Montreal's Goals Come From?
Certainly the answer is Marie-Philip Poulin, but Poulin finds herself uncharacteristically in a scoring drought. Poulin had a goal and an assist in the preseason, but didn't score in her four Rivalry Series appearances in November and December, and hasn't scored in Montreal's first two games, where the team registered only three goals total. For Poulin, aside from her shootout goal in game four, she has yet to register a point in this year's Rivalry Series. Poulin will certainly snap out of it, but the supporting cast in Montreal needs to step forward. As for Poulin, the simple answer seems to be she needs to shoot more.
Laura Stacey has been Montreal's most dangerous player to date leading the team in goals in the preseason, scoring one of their three in the season, and topping all Montreal players in shots with seven. Two players who have yet to find their space in Montreal are Kennedy Marchment and Jillian Dempsey. Two gifted playmakers and scorers, neither has registered a shot. To help jumpstart Montreal's offense, coach Kori Cheverie could look to find places for these two to get more involved, whether that's on the powerplay, or additional offensive zone starts. The scoring for this team cannot rest on Canada's national team players alone, as there's too much talent in the lineup to front load their attack.
Discipline, Discipline, Discipline
It's only been two games, but in a league where physicality is being encouraged and allowed, Montreal has still found their way to the box more than any other team. Luckily none of those penalties have resulted in a goal against...yet, but they've certainly helped shift momentum and slow down Montreal. This was particularly evident in Montreal's 3-0 loss to Minnesota where they took four third period penalties, a frame where Grace Zumwinkle scored twice for Minnesota.
Are they putting too much on too few down the middle?
Depth down the middle has always been a sign of strength in championship teams. Montreal, however, is primarily running with two centers. Marie-Philip Poulin (48 draws) and Kristen O'Neill (35 draws) have taken more than 80% of the team's draws, with Sarah Bujold coming in next with 11 face-offs taken, Gabrielle David taking five, and Jillian Dempsey three. Conversely in Minnesota, who handled Montreal in their game, they have three players who have shared the load almost evenly in Taylor Heise (31), Kelly Pannek (30), and Liz Schepers (27), followed by fourth line center Clair DeGeorge (9). New York, who is this week's opponent, is also running three deep with Alex Carpenter (36), Abby Roque (29), and Jade Downie-Landry (25), followed by Alexandra Labelle (9). Similar to their emphasis on offense, it might be time to find opportunities to build confidence and give more opportunities to players outside the national team group.
Looking At New York
New York wowed fans with their opening win in Toronto, and looked like they might do it again before Toronto fought back to earn their own first victory. New York runs three lines up front that can each score. In the preseason it was the third line of Emma Woods, Jill Saulnier, and Jade Downie-Landry that impressed, along with Jessie Eldridge. Following week one, Alex Carpenter was named the PWHL's Second Star, and goalie Corinne Schroeder, who earned the first shutout in league history, was named Third Star. Chloe Aurard also came alive showing her playmaking skills notching three assists in her first two games. New York plays with speed, and they can strike off the transition benefiting from a mobile blueline. They also have one of the most underrated goaltending tandems in the league who are tough to beat. They've also been prone to penalties, however, so if New York or Montreal can strike on the powerplay, it could spell the difference. Neither team has scored with the player advantage this season.