With Zdeno Chara, Victor Hedman Injured, Montreal Canadiens Are Atlantic Division Favorites
Preseason predictions mean very little, especially in a sport as finicky as hockey. There are always teams that come out of nowhere to surprise everyone (think Colorado Avalanche last year) and teams that fall apart when it appears a playoff spot is locked up (sorry Toronto Maple Leafs.)
However, before this season began there was a lot of consensus on who the top three teams would be in the Atlantic Division. Any permutation of Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens in the top three made sense, while predicting any of those teams to finish fourth or lower was not going with popular opinion.
Apr 22, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; (Editors note: Caption correction) Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty (67) scores a goal against Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Kristers Gudlevskis (37) as defensemen Victor Hedman (77) and Andrej Sustr (62) defend during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
With news over the past few days that the Lightning have lost top defenceman Victor Hedman for 4-6 weeks, and word coming out this morning that Bruins number one defender Zdeno Chara will also miss 4-6 weeks after leaving last night’s game with the New York Islanders after a knee on knee collision, the Montreal Canadiens have a huge opportunity to extend their lead in the division.
In case you are on of those people that haven’t noticed Hedman yet, he is to the Lightning what P.K. Subban is to the Habs. Of course, we all agree Chara is to the Bruins what Subban is to the Habs, and with the Bruins losing Johnny Boychuk in the summer, their blue line has taken a huge hit since last season.
The Lightning added veteran defenders Jason Garrison and Anton Stralman in the offseason to a group of defenders that struggled mightily against the Habs in the playoffs last season, but still don’t have the depth to absorb the loss of Hedman. In fact, there isn’t a team in the league that can keep rolling business as usual if you take Hedman or Chara out of the lineup for a month and a half.
Oct 16, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) celebrates after scoring a goal against Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
The Lightning are off to a solid 4-2-1 start, but it will be difficult for them to keep up that pace without their best defenceman in the lineup for the next 20 games or so. Just look at the two games Tampa has played since losing Hedman, a loss to the perennial cellar dweller Edmonton Oilers, and a last minute goal to tie the Calgary Flames before squeaking out a win in overtime.
Is it a coincidence that the Lightning suddenly had a difficult time with the two Alberta teams, or is it just that Hedman means that much to them? If you saw his four point performance against the Canadiens last week, you would agree he makes a huge difference for them and will be sorely missed.
Oct 16, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (15) celebrates with teammate Alex Galchenyuk (27) after scoring an empty net goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins are off to a sloppy 4-5-0 start to their season, and will now have to go without Chara for a long period of time. They will have to turn things around with their top defenceman on the sidelines, or their record could be very ugly at the 30 game mark when he returns from injury.
What the Bruins should be more worried about is the nature of Chara’s injury. While Hedman should be able to step right back into the lineup when his broken hand heals, Chara suffered torn ligaments in his knee, and was far from the quickest player in the league entering the season.
At 37 years of age, you have to wonder how quick he can bounce back from a significant knee injury, while the 23 year old Hedman will have his speed when he returns and should be back to his dominant self shortly after he steps back on the ice.
The Canadiens are fortunate to not have anyone go down with significant injuries yet this season. The Habs are off to the hottest start in the league with a 6-1-0 record, and if they want to win the Atlantic Division, they will have to take advantage of this opportunity and put some separation between themselves and the Lightning and Bruins over the next 4-6 weeks.