The Montreal Canadiens are sticking with the status quo and have a chance at the playoffs

It’s been a year since we’ve seen playoff hockey in

Montreal, and so far, not only are the Canadiens in a

playoff spot, they are also one point back of the Toronto

Maple Leafs for second place in the Atlantic Division.

The Canadiens last year, evidently were horrible.

However, this year is the complete opposite. So what’s

been the difference between last year and this year?

Let’s compare:

 

• 1. They finally have an identity

– Speed and speed and more speed. The Canadiens

finally realized that the NHL was trending towards a

more faster game, and they have benefitted from that

ever since the beginning of the offseason. Rolling four

lines with speed and skill has been a success. The

acquisitions of Max Domi, Tomas… TATAR (had to do

it), and the Finnish stud that has pretty mint hands,

Jesperi Kotkaniemi have all helped forge that identity,

and teams are looking at Montreal and are taking them

seriously now.

 

• 2. They are competing every single game

-Every time the Canadiens fell behind in any game

last year, they didn’t have the will to play anymore

and would just give up. Now, they come from behind

and compete, like recently, trailing Boston 1-0in the

first period and then coming back and beating

Boston 3-2 in overtime, which by the way was a huge

win for the Habs, and Florida, similarly, trailing 1-0 in

the first, and then exploded to a 5-1 victory over the

Panthers. It’s this type of attitude they have carried all

season long so far, and it has payed dividends. Credit

general manager Marc Bergevin as well, because he

implemented this attitude change, and brought in

players that helped change the culture of the team, and

the compete level.

 

• 3. The new coaching staff 

– Aside from head coach Claude Julien, and associate

coach Kirk Muller, the coaching staff changed for the

better. Out was Jean-Jacques Daigneault and Dan

Lacroix, and in was Dominique Ducharme and Luke

Richardson. Both coaches have done a tremendous job

in helping this team reach another level in the offence

and defence. Ducharme has worked with the offence,

and is bringing out the best in every player. Richardson

has worked with the defence, and major strides have

been taken in the growth of some of the young players.

 Mike Reilly, who was barely playing with the

Minnesota Wild, now is playing arguably the best

hockey of his career, Brett Kulak, who came from the

Calgary Flames, has been a real surprise, and has fit

nicely on the 3rd pairing with veteran Jordie Benn, who

has recently picked up his play and also playing great

hockey.

Overall, the team has room for much improvement,

but it’s a good start in the right direction. It’s the first

time in a while that the fans are believing in this team,

and have faith in what Marc Bergevin

is building not only now, but for years to come. Watch

out for these names in the not too distant future: Ryan

Poehling and Nick Suzuki. I would say Alexander

Romanov, but because he’s playing in the KHL, it will be

tough to bring him overseas, because of his contract in

Russia, but nonetheless, he’s a player to keep an eye

on.