Montreal Canadiens Should Keep Markov on Top Power Play Unit
Montreal Canadiens Defensemen Andrei Markov is one of the NHL’s best passers, and is a terrific complement to Shea Weber. Markov should continue to play with Weber on the Canadiens first Power Play Unit.
The Montreal Canadiens have seen their Power Play have its ups and downs through the beginning of the year. The Habs have also had many new faces like Shea Weber, Alexander Radulov, and Andrew Shaw who needed some time to build chemistry. As a result, Canadiens Head Coach Michel Therrien has juggled up the top Power Play Unit several times looking for chemistry.
This is actually a good problem to have because the Canadiens have many different scoring options that they have lacked over the past few years. The Canadiens have players who generate great net presence, in Brendan Gallagher and Shaw. Montreal also has great snipers in Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk to complement play makers in Markov and Radulov.
Power Play struggles without Markov
However, the whole key to Montreal’s Power Play success is Shea Weber because of his huge slap shot. Over the past few games the Canadiens have struggled to give Weber quality passes to one time the puck. As a result the Habs Power Play has looked good or been effective.
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One of Therrien’s Power Play combinations has Radulov replacing Andrei Markov at the point and this has had its moments. The problem with this combination though, is that Markov is one of the NHL’s best passers and Andrei has developed good Chemistry with Weber.
In the Canadiens last two games their Power Play has found a way to produce but optically it hasn’t looked well. The Canadiens look a lot smoother when trying to skate the puck in the opposing zone when Markov makes the lead pass to start the play off.
Markov’s season average for power play ice time is 2:47 minutes per game. Most of that time is spent with Weber. Markov has produced seven Power Play points this season and many of the those assists were on Shea Weber goals
Possible Power Play Combinations
As mentioned earlier the Canadiens have many players who deserve ice time in the Power Play but not everyone can play on the top unit. So here is what the first unit should look like:
LW C RW
Alexander Radulov Andrew Shaw Max Pacioretty
RD LD
Shea Weber Andrei Markov
Unit one would give the Habs a balanced look and would keep Markov and Weber together. Pacioretty and Radulov should play on their off wings giving them great shooting angles if the are left open. Shaw is a strong face off center and also provides solid net presence who could complement the other players.
Here is what the second unit should look like:
LW C RW
Brendan Gallagher Tomas Plekanec Alex Galchenyuk
LD RD
Jeff Petry Marc Barberieo (Nathan Beaulieu)
Unit two also gives the Habs great balance of play makers, shooters, and net presence. Nathan Beaulieu can take Barberio’s place when he returns from injury.
Final Thoughts
Markov gives the Canadiens the most balance when he is on the ice. Teams have to respect his passing ability, also his shot is very underrated. The Habs should leave Markov on the top unit.