Max Domi is enjoying a career year in his first season with the Canadiens

by Pierre-Antoine Mercier – nhl.com

MONTREAL – A change of address has clearly been beneficial for Max Domi.

Acquired from the Arizona Coyotes on June 15, the 23-year-old forward is enjoying a career year in his first season with Montreal.

Domi got off to a tremendous start with the Canadiens. He became the first player since Odie Cleghorn in 1918-19 to register at least 24 points in his first 20 games in a Habs uniform. At that point in time, Domi had 10 goals and 14 assists.

The Winnipeg native also matched his goal total from the 2017-18 campaign when he scored his ninth goal of the year in just his 15th outing.

In the Canadiens’ 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, Domi tied his career-high in the NHL ranks with 52 points, a mark he set during his rookie year in 2015-16 as a member of the Arizona Coyotes. And, he accomplished the feat in 21 less games.

The Coyotes’ first-round selection, 12th overall in 2013, Domi also set a new career-high by reaching the 20-goal plateau for the first time in his career.

Eight of those goals have been the Canadiens’ first goal of the game. The young centerman has also scored the game’s opening goal on five occasions. Among his markers, Domi boasts two game-winning goals so far this season, which is another career-high.

The former London Knights standout currently leads the Canadiens in points. Domi and Ryan O’Reilly of the St. Louis Blues are the only two NHL players to lead their team in points in their first season with their new teams.

In addition, Domi ranks fifth in points among players who joined new squads during the offseason.

Here is a list of the top-five point-getters who changed hockey homes over the summer.

Another interesting fact related to Domi’s production is that if he continues on his current pace, he could become the first player since Alex Kovalev (23g – 42a) in 2005-06 to lead the Canadiens in scoring in his first year with the team.