The Montreal Canadiens are stunning the hockey world. They’re some extent away from making the playoffs. This was alleged to be subsequent season’s purpose for this younger group. Nonetheless, this season, the purpose was to play significant hockey in March and April. Their season couldn’t finish in December once more, although it virtually did.
Patrik Laine returned to the lineup, together with the addition of Alexandre Provider on the backend, and the Canadiens discovered their recreation. Throw within the play of Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky and the remainder of the younger core, and there was a perception within the room.
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Plus, GM Kent Hughes had the correct mix of veterans and younger gamers on the staff. Even with the season’s peaks and valleys, which included nice successful streaks and horrible shedding streaks, the gamers’ perception in Martin St. Louis allowed this run to occur.
Coming into the season, there was a lot discuss of the Detroit Purple Wings, Buffalo Sabres, and Ottawa Senators taking the subsequent step. The Senators did their half. Nonetheless, if you happen to have a look at the roster coming into the season, the Canadiens’ roster is best than that of each groups. The proof is within the pudding, as they are saying.
Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Interval joined TSN Radio in Montreal this previous Monday. He was requested in regards to the Montreal Canadiens and their stunning season. Did he truly anticipate a playoff run, and what had been the significant video games alleged to be?
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Host: “Very quick query for you right here, on a scale of 1 to 10, how stunned are you by the Canadiens and the place they’re within the standings?”
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Dave Pagnotta: “Like, this was a staff that I believed best-case state of affairs is, and everybody’s talked about taking part in significant hockey down the stretch. However I feel greatest case state of affairs, significant hockey meant they’re in all probability going to be 5 factors again, and, issues are going decently. Everybody’s sort of evolving and maturing, and subsequent season, there’ll be a wild card staff. They’ve sped up that course of fairly considerably.
And I imply, simply with the play of a few of their predominant guys, and the general efficiency of particularly since 4 Nations of Nick Suzuki, has been phenomenal. And the contributions from guys like (Cole) Caulfield and (Brendan) Gallagher getting his twentieth of the season, and he’s going by way of a little bit of an emotional curler coaster recently, for apparent causes. However for him to crack 20 for the primary time because the 19-20 season, totally different contributions there.
What (Alexandre) Provider has dropped at the staff on the again finish, and what their younger core and younger items have performed. (Juraj) Slafkovsky is waking up once more within the second half and getting going. Patrik Laine continues to contribute. And naturally, Lane Hutson with what he has performed this season, tying (Chris) Chelios for essentially the most factors complete document as a rookie defenseman on the Habs. He’s obtained some runway to clear that document over these subsequent few video games; every part that’s labored out for the Habs, together with goaltending as nicely, is clicking at a tempo that I believed we’d see a yr from now, not now.
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And with the ammunition that Kent Hughes and his workers have this offseason, no matter how the remainder of this season performs out, they’re going to be an attention-grabbing staff to observe subsequent season, as a result of I feel they nonetheless wish to keep your rebuild to a sure extent, however now you’re at some extent the place you’re taking these subsequent steps, and I’m very curious to see how energetic they’re going to be this summer season.”
Now, because the Montreal Canadiens are on the verge of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the primary time since going to the COVID Stanley Cup Last of 2021, issues align for sustained success. Springtime in Montreal is nothing prefer it. Add within the arrival of Ivan Demidov, and the thrill is thru the roof in Montreal.
The plan has labored out completely for Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton, and the Montreal Canadiens.”
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