CFN – Will the Price be right for Hab fans as the end of the regular season draws to a close?
Last year Montreal nearly made it to Lord Stanley’s cup only to be foiled by the NY Rangers after Chris Kreider skated into the goalie knocking him out for the remainder of the series.
Montreal consistently is out shot and Price has had a Hall of Fame season. I write that as someone that clearly has not been his biggest fan, but the man gets his due.
Marc Bergevin for whatever reason did not address the glaring need for a top six forward this year and added more depth in Jeff Petry, Torrey Mitchell, and Brian Flynn at the trade deadline. With Alexei Emelin coming back soon it should be interesting what the team does with all of that depth as players have to be sharp and focused come play off time.
Earlier pick up Devante Smith Pelly is an attractive pick up and adds some muscle, but to date has not put up a point.
The Habs have given a lot of players a chance to shine this season and seen what some of them can do. None of dominated or stood out.
Will we see Sven Andrighetto, Jacob De La Rose shine? Will Lars Eller wake up?
Looking to the cup the team lines up with
Pacioretty Plekanec and Gallagher on L1
Most likely Desharnais with PA Parenteau and Alex Galchenyuk on L2
Lars Eller, DVP or Dale Weise with Brandon Prust on L3
and
Torrey Mitchell/Manny Malhotra centering the shuffle. There are no mysteries about what this forward squad can do.
On Defense it’s a hot mess with lots of depth but still no mesh.
Personally I think you have to break up Markov and Subban to make the Cup. To do that you have to play a dman on their off side or pair up with Emelin or Boileau.
Markov with Petry looks attractive. Gonchar is getting rest now as the team immerses Jeff Petry. Tom Gilbert and Mike Weaver are still there with Jarred Tinordi and Greg Pateryn ready to fill the void. Tinordi has not lived up to his draft selection yet and may never. He’s not ready for top minutes and the slots are plugged near the bottom, especially with coach Michel Therrien favoring veterans.
The team desperately needed a closer as they did last year when they landed Tomas Vanek who served them well through the first two rounds last season.
One interesting prospect is Michael MaCarron who has come alive this season with London and Oshawa of the OHL.
The 20 year old has notched 28 goals and 36 assists for 64 points (+22) in 52 games. The 6′ 6″ 225 pounder added 118 minutes and can play right wing which is exactly what this doctor has ordered.
Clearly unless the Habs shake things up it will be up to Carey Price to fulfill his legendary season.
The biggest wild card is coach Michel Therrien who may flip and flop his roster into defeat. Chemistry in the play offs is critical.
If the play offs started as of press time Montreal would be facing a very dangerous Washington squad. In a short series Alex Ovechkin can kill you as well as a Braden Holtby who’s won 32 games and counting this season.
What do you think Habs fans? You can post your comments below.