Keith Kinkaid might be an unlikely hero for the Montreal Canadiens. Can he help the team squeeze into the postseason?
On Saturday night, while the New Jersey Devils were celebrating a win over the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center in Newark, their former goalie was celebrating a win of his own north of the border. Keith Kinkaid, now of the Montreal Canadiens, earned a 4-0 shutout versus the Senators that evening.
Sure, it’s just the preseason. And sure, he was playing a lowly Senators squad. But could Kinkaid be enough for the Canadiens to return to the playoffs?
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
Reaction to his shutout was swift. Fans offered congratulations, with a select few Devils fans expressing regret the team let him go. All expectations should be tempered considering Kinkaid has yet to suit up for the Canadiens in a game that actually matters. So far, he is giving Habs fans a reason for optimism.
The Canadiens barely missed out on last year’s playoffs. If they want to make a similar run this year, every single game is going to count. That means they have to find a way to squeeze out a few wins when Carey Price isn’t in net.
Last season, the Canadiens handed off their backup duties to the well-traveled veteran netminder Antti Niemi. While his win-loss record of 8 wins, 6 losses, and 2 overtime and shootout losses doesn’t look two concerning, his underlying stats paint a different picture.
The 36-year-old sported a 3.78 goals-against average and a .887% save percentage in Montreal’s crease. Both statistics are way below his career average, but unlike a fine wine, goaltenders rarely get better with age.
Kinkaid had himself an equally worse season being new jersey’s starting goaltender for most of their lost 2018-2019 season. His statistics from 2017-2018, the last year he was in a backup role, paint a better comparison. That season, Kinkaid posted a 26-10-3 record, along with a 2.77 goals-against average and 0.913 save percentage.
His goals-against average and save percentage were roughly in line over the prior seasons, although his overall record was a lot worst in the season before. That was more due to the Devils failing to ice competitive teams for most of Kinkaid’s tenure, although that tide turned in the 2017-2018 season.
Kinkaid signed as a free agent with Montreal, but he wasn’t the prized tandem goalie on the free-agent market last season. That distinction belongs to Robin Lehner, who eventually signed with the Chicago Blackhawks to be their number two behind Corey Crawford. Lehner signed for a one year contract at $5 million. Meanwhile, Kinkaid inked up with Montreal for a much more affordable $1.75 million.
The only other considerable doubt surrounding Kinkaid is his layover in playing time. Although he was active in the NHL last season, he didn’t play in a single game for the Columbus Blue Jackets after his trade from the Devils. He suited up as a back up a hand full of times, but that’s about it.
Just like last season, any prospects of a Montreal playoff berth remain hinged on Carey Price staying healthy. Although Kinkaid filled the void very nicely for the Devils in 2018-2019, he can’t be expected to repeat that performance once again. If the Canadiens keep Kinkaid in the role he’s always excelled at-an excellent backup and nothing more, a return to April hockey could be in their cards.