The Montreal Canadiens have been able to bounce back from a dreaded season last year. Equipped with a new head coach, a healthy Carey Price and added muscle, the Habs will be a favourite in the Eastern Conference. Can they top anybody in the Metropolitan Division?
The Montreal Canadiens are currently leading the Atlantic Division, which may be a downfall in disguise as the Habs will likely matchup with the New York Rangers, who have more points than them. This team does have a window, and it is closing soon.
EXPECTATIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON
When the Montreal Canadiens shocked the entire NHL by trading PK Subban to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Shea Weber, their expectations ran rapid. Many hockey analysts believed that a healthy Carey Price and the addition of Shea Weber would turn the Habs into a Stanley Cup contender.
Not many thought the addition of Alexander Radulov would factor into the team’s success, but he has been a nice surprise on the offence and in the team’s culture change. When EA Sports did their NHL 17 simulation, they had the Habs meeting the Predators in the Stanley Cup Final for arguably the most headlined matchup.
BIGGEST STRENGTH: GOALTENDING
Was there any doubt? Even though Carey Price isn’t at the top of the NHL’s goaltending statistics, many would argue he is still the best goaltender in the league. Carey Price is the leader of the group even though he doesn’t wear the “C” on his jersey, as he goes, so does the team.
Price has been a little streaky throughout the season, but since the hiring of Claude Julien, Price has put up a record of 11-4-0, with a 1.58 GAA and a save percentage of .942, which makes him the third best goaltender since February 14. (behind Sergei Bobrovsky and John Gibson).
If God forbid Price goes down with an injury, backup Al Montoya is more than capable to hold the fort in the short term.
The Habs added some muscle by acquiring the likes of Dwight King, Steve Ott, Andreas Martinsen and Jordie Benn so they won’t be pushed around that much in the second season. If the Habs can get more production out of Brendan Gallagher and Alexander Radulov (who have struggled since the hiring of Claude Julien) then the group will be able to make a long playoff run.
BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: COMPETING WITH METROPOLITAN DIVISION
The Canadiens lead the Atlantic Division but that still puts them as the fifth best team in the conference. The Canadiens have a worse record than the Columbus Blue Jackets, Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Rangers, all of whom hail from the Metropolitan Division.
Finishing second in the division would actually give the Canadiens a better matchup in the first round of the playoffs. Finishing first in the Division almost guarantees a first round battle against the New York Rangers. Even if the Habs can get past the Rangers in the first round, they would have to battle one of the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, or Columbus Blue Jackets to get a ticket to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Habs need to get hot at the right time to have a chance at the holy grail, but with the best goaltender in the league, it is definitely possible.
WHY MONTREAL CAN WIN THE STANLEY CUP
Have I mentioned Carey Price yet?
The one trophy missing in Price’s trophy room is the biggest prize in all of professional sports. Players that have that winning mentality will stop but nothing to accomplish every feat.
The Habs have a ton of skill up front headlined by Max Pacioretty, Alexander Radulov and Alex Galchenyuk. Paul Byron is having a career year with 20 goals, as well as sophomore Phillip Danault. They added playoff performer Andrew Shaw in the off season and he is expected to bring some of his winning habits to the Habs for the playoffs.
Next: The Case for the New York Rangers Cup Chances
While Tomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher have had very limited offensive seasons to this point, but they have performed much better in the post season in their careers.
Shea Weber, Jeff Petry and Andrei Markov are terrific NHL defenders and they are capable of shutting down opponents, but when they let something through, Carey Price is likely to bail them out.