Danault delivered a natural hat trick Saturday in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Golden Knights.

EDGE Analysis

Danault is a playmaker first, second and third, so this goal outburst was like an early gift from Santa. He hadn't scored in 11 games and had just two in 36 games prior. So, cue the fanfare for the young man's first NHL hattie. Danault's 22 points puts him on pace for 49 points this season, which would be a nice career boost for the 25-year-old pivot. Still, his position makes him a tough roll in shallow to medium-sized leagues. There are a lot of similar centers in the NHL.

Danault had two assists, three shots, one hit and won 13 of 24 draws in Thursday's 6-4 win over Carolina.

EDGE Analysis

Danault's scoring has been down of late, having entered Thursday's tilt with just one assist in the previous six games, but he maintains a top-six role on this team and is one of Montreal's better faceoff men. A deft passer with 15 assists over 32 games, the 25-year-old center is on pace to set a new career threshold in helpers, but Danault's shooting percentage (3.7%) needs improvement if he wants to stay in a top-six role long term.

Danault was the only one on his team to beat Curtis McElhinney on Tuesday in a 2-1 loss to Carolina.

EDGE Analysis

Danault hadn't hit the twine since Oct. 20 in Ottawa, so this should help his confidence moving forward. However, his value to both the Canadiens and his fantasy owners comes as a passer, not a scorer, so the lack of goals doesn't matter as long as he continues to put up points, which he has with five in his past seven games. If you need help in assists, he's not a bad option.

Danault assisted on both goals, one on the power play, in Friday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Sabres. He added three shots and won 13 of 22 draws over 17:59 of ice time.

EDGE Analysis

Danault's been more of a playmaker since joining the Canadiens, so that 13 of his 14 points are due to assists isn't surprising. He's helped set up seven goals over the last nine games. That one of the helpers Friday came on the power play was fortunate, as he had just five seconds on that unit and has averaged 23 seconds when skating with a man advantage this season.

Danault registered two assists, two shots and won nine of 16 faceoffs taken during Thursday's 6-4 comeback win over the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

Danault continues to gel nicely with Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar on the high-flying top line in Montreal with a goal and six points in 12 games to start the season. While his goal production (1) and power-play usage (00:03 per game) may be lacking, the 25-year-old could be on his way to a career season and is worth owning in all formats as long as he's producing.

Danault scored a goal and had five shots on net in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

Danault finished off a scoring chance, smartly set up by Paul Byron and Artturi Lehkonen, to pot his first goal of the season. It was encouraging to see Danault fire off five shots -- he tied for the team lead Saturday -- but he entered the game with just six shots over six games and went shot-less in three of those games.

Danault registered an assist, one shot on goal, one hit and won 15 of 25 faceoffs in Saturday's shootout win over the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

Danault rebounded from a miserable performance Thursday, when he lost 12 of 13 faceoffs in a loss to the Kings. He and linemates Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar played well Saturday, combining for 13 shots and both of Montreal's even-strength goals, the result of hard work and a dogged forecheck. After falling behind 2-0 after one period -- Montreal's fourth straight without a goal -- Danault won the period-opening faceoff and pushed hard into the Penguins zone, leading to Tatar's first goal as a Canadien. Later, he and Tatar pinned the Pens behind the goal line, leading to Gallagher's second goal of the season.

Danault notched an assist in Saturday's 5-1 win over Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old Canadian forced a huge turnover in the middle of the ice, ultimately leading to the opening goal for teammate Brendan Gallagher. Danault led the Canadians' balanced forward attack in ice time (18:16) , and led the team with seven faceoff wins.

Danault had two assists and was plus-2 in Thursday's preseason win over the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

In what looked like a possible top line, Danault centered Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Tatar. That unit had a hand in three of Montreal's five goals, producing five points. Danault set up the first goal after forcing a turnover at the blueline. "They were a great line for us tonight and if we get three more lines like that, we'll be okay," coach Claude Julien told Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette. Danault, a former first-round pick that languished in Chicago, has resuscitated his career since joining the Canadiens. He signed a three-year deal during the offseason and will be the top-line center for a team that's projected to have one consistent scoring line.

Danault has introduced a Pilates training regimen in an ongoing effort to strengthen his core and preserve a healthy mind.

EDGE Analysis

It appears that the Quebec native is doing what he can to be the best version of himself in 2018-19. Danault broke out offensively in 2016-17 when he uncorked 13 goals, 27 assists and a plus-5 rating over a full season, but he dealt with a nasty concussion and related neck trouble in the most recent campaign. finishing with 15 fewer points over 52 contests. The Habs believe in him based on his three-year, $9.25 million contract renewal; he should glean plenty of confidence from that deal and all of the positives that come from taking better of his body. A huge season could be on the horizon for Danault.