Montreal Canadiens: Can Keith Kinkaid help them return to playoffs?

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?

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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.