Montreal Canadiens 2014-15 Season Preview

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May 27, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Rene Bourque (17) celebrates his goal against New York Rangers with teammate defenseman P.K. Subban (76) during the third period in the game five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

MONTREAL CANADIENS

2013-14 RECAP

I don’t know how they keep doing it, but somehow the Montreal Canadiens always manage to finish much higher than I predict, and they did it once again in 2013-14. They weren’t quite at the level of the Boston Bruins, but they did manage to lock down a 100 point season and claim the third playoff spot in the Atlantic Divison.

A relatively easy win over the Lightning in the first round followed by an upset of the rival Bruins in round 2 made it look like the Habs might just be the team to break the Canadian Jinx. However, Chris Kreider stole Cinderella’s glass slipper when he ran over star goalie Carey Price in the conference final, ending his series. Without their best player the Habs tried valiantly but fell to the Rangers in 6 games.

Jan 23, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Manny Malhotra (22) during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Hurricanes beat the Sabres 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

CHANGES

IN – P.A. Parenteau, Tom Gilbert, Jiri Sekac, Manny Malhotra

OUT- Daniel Briere, Brian Gionta, Thomas Vanek, George Parros, Josh Gorges, Francis Bouillon, Douglas Murray

The Habs got better up front with Parenteau replacing the inconsistent play Vanek gave them in his short term. Sekac is a question mark as to what the free agent signing will be able to contribute, but Malhotra gives them a guy on the lower lines that is a consumate leader.

Oct 9, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jarred Tinordi (24) skates against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

3 BIG QUESTIONS

1. No Captain, My Captain? – The Habs elected not to name a permanent captain, instead tagging 4 guys who will wear “A”s – Andrei Markov, P.K. Subban, Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec. While Malhotra might end up being the best leader on the team, that group is a diverse one that covers all facets.

2. Are the kids ready on the blue line? – Gorges was moved along and Murray let go largely because the Habs want to get Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu into the lineup more consistently and see what they have. How they respond will go a long way to how successful the Habs will be, but after all Murray doesn’t leave very tough shoes to fill but Gorges will be missed.

3. Is This Price’s Vezina year? – Price has an Olympic gold Medal, and if it wasn’t for Kreider, who knows how far he could have carried the Habs. He has yet to be a finalist for the award, despite being one of the top goalies in the NHL over the past 5 years but not always having a solid team in front of him.

May 14, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a block during the third period against the Boston Bruins in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

PREDICTION