Hockey fans! Welcome to the first hockey installment of this term’s Benchwarmer Report. With the Leafs mired in their sad yet somehow hopeful rebuilding state, we explore the more exciting Canadian hockey goings-on in the form the much-loved (or much-hated, depending where you’re from) Montreal Canadiens.
The Habs won their first nine games in regulation—an NHL record. Superstar Carey Price had a .961 save percentage over that streak, picking up right where he left off last season. The offence has also gotten some upgrades from last season. Most notable of these is former Washington Capitals 30-plus goal scorer Alex Semin. The Canadiens are hoping he will regain his scoring punch alongside rising youngster Alex Galchenyuk.
Coach Michel Terrien and the Canadiens are looking to establish themselves as Stanley Cup contenders. With Price, and many of their players with plenty of playoff experience, it is expected that they should at least make a deep run in the 2016 playoffs.
Carey Price is currently on the injury reserve after sustaining a lower body injury one week ago. He is expected to return after this week, but in the meantime we’ve gotten a glimpse at Montreal without one their big studs. Backup Michael Condon has been solid, winning six of seven games with .940 save percentage and 1.57 goals against average. If Condon can keep this up, the Habs should be able to win many games provided they continue to produce offensively.
As usual, offense remains the biggest concern. Stud defender P.K. Subban will do his bit, particularly on the power play, as will highly dependable captain Max Pacioretty, gritty winger Brendan Gallagher and the ever-steady Tomas Plekanec. Still, Montreal will have to have more than a one-line offense. But the Habs will need more from their auxiliary components if they’re going to keep this up all season. Of course, they will also need a similar level of stellar goaltending from Price and Condon.
That being said, much of the Atlantic Division is nothing short of weak. After the Canadiens, the Ottawa Senators are 8 points back; everyone else is 10 or more points back. Save the Tampa Bay Lightning and maybe the Detroit Red Wings, the rest of the division is hardly any kind of competition. It will be interesting to see how the Habs perform against marquee opponents on the Metropolitan side, including the red-hot New York Rangers and the feisty Washington Capitals.
There should be a good rivalry going this season between the Habs and the Senators. Another popular sidetrack to watch will be the Karlsson or Subban for the Norris trophy show. Both are high-flying offensive defenseman, critical to their respective teams. A first-round rematch would indeed be exciting after last season’s six-game nail-biter. Are the Habs going to be Canada’s hope for real this year? Only time will tell…
Leave a Reply