A Winning Habit
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Habs Sweep Leafs, Meet Sens in Playoffs

By Lissa Albert

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HABS Sweep LEAFS, Meet SENS in Playoffs

In the end, it came down to a shootout. But the game began as a decider of many factors:

  • Would the Habs sweep the Leafs in regular season games?
  • Who would the Canadiens face in Round 1 of playoffs?
  • Where would the Habs finish in the standings?

By the time the game was almost over, the Detroit Red Wings had won their game against Carolina, which edged the Habs closer to a match-up with the Ottawa Senators in Round 1. But it was already a fact that if the Canadiens won, or even got a point in this game, Ottawa would be their opponent. So, by the time regulation had ended, it was already established. That one point also put the Habs into the position of Atlantic Division Champs, as well as finishing second overall in the NHL. Not too shabby for a team whose goal scoring and power play have been struggles all season long.

All that was left to do was to finish the game and get that second point. By then, it was all about the bragging, but Habs fans wanted to be the ones to do all that boasting. The Habs killed an all-important penalty in OT, and Carey Price was perfect in the shootout. The beleaguered Leafs were added to the list of 9 teams whose series were swept by the Canadiens this season.

Now, looking forward, the team meets red-hot Ottawa. The sentiment among Habs fans is one of mixed confidence: on one hand, this team comes to the playoffs with home ice advantage throughout, the best goalie in the league, and a never-say-die attitude that has kept them in playoff position all season long.

On the other hand, the last time these two teams met in post-season, it ended badly. The Senators won in 5 games, Lars Eller was stretchered off the ice in Game 1, and the Habs had 5 injured players as a result – including Carey Price. Tensions were high, tempers flared, and an instant rivalry began.

The Senators are on a fairy-tale run; their miracle goalie, Andrew Hammond, got his first NHL start in February – against Montreal – and won it handily. He has been credited for bringing Ottawa to the playoffs, with his exceptional goaltending.

A team has to play the cards they’re dealt, and with the season these Canadiens have had, it will be an exciting first round against the Senators.

But here’s my take: this time around, Carey Price is healthy, and at the top of his game. He has just set a new franchise record of 44 season wins, and the team itself has hit the 50-win mark with this victory in Toronto. Other than the still-injured Max Pacioretty (who, despite being uncertain for the start of playoffs is, according to coach Michel Therrien, getting better by the day), the team is faring well. Their energy is present when needed, and I believe they are already in playoff mode.

Would I have preferred the Habs play Detroit? Absolutely. But a team has to play the cards they’re dealt, and with the season these Canadiens have had, it will be an exciting first round against the Senators.

Kudos to the Senators for fighting all the way to the playoffs and truly earning their spot. But these Canadiens are a different team from the one Ottawa beat in 2013.

The key will be scoring; the Habs have to figure out Andrew Hammond, early on, in order to achieve every win. It will not be easy. But with a few days before the first game, many game videos to study and an exceptional coaching staff, the Montreal Canadiens can avenge their elimination from two seasons ago and move into Round 2.

Next: Montreal Canadiens Prospect Profile: Charles Hudon

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