Zach Bolduc Shines as Canadiens Adapt Line Combinations

Amidst a challenging west coast trip, the Montreal Canadiens have seen positive developments in their lineup adjustments, particularly for Zach Bolduc. Coach Martin St. Louis experimented with his lines, leading to noticeable improvements in player performance. Juraj Slafkovsky seamlessly rejoined the first line, while Kirby Dach has thrived on the third line, largely thanks to the contributions of Trois-Rivières native Bolduc.

After being a healthy scratch when Alex Newhook returned, Bolduc has rebounded impressively. His drive and intensity were on full display during Friday night’s matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, where he logged nearly 16 minutes of ice time. Bolduc recorded an assist on Alex Carrier’s goal, took two shots, blocked one, and delivered five hits. His physicality compensates for Dach’s less aggressive playing style, as Dach is not typically inclined to engage in board battles.

Bolduc continued to demonstrate his value on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. He showcased his speed, keeping pace with Lane Hutson during a zone entry. After maneuvering along the boards, Bolduc set up Dach, who found Jake Evans at the blue line. Evans fired a shot that beat goalie Darcy Kuemper, marking the second consecutive game in which the third line produced a goal. In just 13:39 of ice time, Bolduc added two more hits to his season total, bringing him to 129—second on the team, trailing only Arber Xhekaj.

St. Louis emphasizes the importance of playing a strong two-way game, noting that while forechecking might not be the most enjoyable aspect, it often leads to offensive opportunities. The Canadiens acquired Bolduc with the expectation of more than just physical play; however, at only 23 years old, he is still adapting to the demands of St. Louis’s system, which prioritizes reading the game and making intelligent decisions over rigid strategies.

With 26 points in 62 games this season, Bolduc is on track for a total of 35 points. Last year, he recorded 36 points with the St. Louis Blues in 72 games. While his power play production has been halved—12 points last season compared to six this year with Montreal—he is still finding his footing on the Canadiens’ second unit.

If Bolduc maintains this level of play, he is unlikely to find himself as a healthy scratch again soon. In contrast, Brendan Gallagher may be more at risk of being sidelined, despite his leadership and pursuit of 1,000 games with the Canadiens.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.