Montreal Canadiens: Opening Day Notes

First, let’s get to the opening day roster as release on NHL.com

Nathan Beaulieu, Paul Byron, Mike Condon, David Desharnais, Lars Eller, Alexei Emelin, Tomas Fleischmann, Brian Flynn, Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, Tom Gilbert, Andrei Markov, Torrey Mitchell, Max Pacioretty, Greg Pateryn, Jeff Petry, Tomas Plekanec, Carey Price, Alexander Semin, Devante Smith-Pelly, P.K. Subban, Jarred Tinordi, Dale Weise.

Injured: Michael Bournival.

Comments: There are a few last-minute changes, some driven by pre-season performances and one by an off-ice issue. The players who are additions over last season include Mike Condon, Tomas Fleischmann, Alexander Semin, Jarred Tinordi, and Paul Byron.

This was last year’s opening day roster:

Nathan Beaulieu, Michael Bournival, Rene Bourque, David Desharnais, Lars Eller, Alexei Emelin, Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, Tom Gilbert, Manny Malhotra, Andrei Markov, Travis Moen, Max Pacioretty, Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Tomas Plekanec, Carey Price, Brandon Prust, Jiri Sekac, P.K. Subban, Jarred Tinordi, Dustin Tokarski, Mike Weaver, Dale Weise.

That’s a significant change year-to-year. There are 8 players that were on the roster a year ago and are now playing elsewhere or retired. The notable difference in lineups is the level of experience and skill. When you swap Bourque, Malhotra, and Parenteau for Semin, Fleischmann, and Mitchell, you get a sense that this team could produce a lot more scoring overall. We swap Prust for Byron, and Sekac for Smith-Pelly, and finally Moen for Flynn, and we see an entirely different feel to this team. The biggest difference I would point to is that this team should be more responsible defensively and be less likely to take inopportune penalties that take momentum away from the Habs.

The biggest improvement I see, however, is in the defensive corps. When you add a seasoned and confident Beaulieu and Jeff Petry to a group that already includes a strong 3 of P.K. Subban, Andrei Markov, and Alexei Emelin, you get a really strong group that can play in all situations. They have the potential to be the strongest defensive group in the NHL and have depth to support them in Greg Pateryn. This thought was supported in TSN’s preview of the Habs season.

Oct 3, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman

Erik Karlsson

(65) and Montreal Canadiens left wing

Max Pacioretty

(67) chase the puck in the first period at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Our Captain’s First Game

This will be the first regular season game with Max Pacioretty as our captain. He’ll wear the C for the foreseeable future and will surely do an outstanding job. He is now the official leader charged with the responsibility to do whatever it takes to get the Habs to the next level by doing what he can on the ice and in the locker room.

While a Captain can only do so much, I truly believe that wearing that C and having the influence of the great Jean Beliveau behind it will drive Pacioretty to perform at a new level of intensity. He will be the heart beat that the Habs drum beats to as they chase their 25th Stanley Cup.

Stanley Cup is The Only Acceptable Result

Whatever the experts say, and whatever the fans think, every single player in the Habs locker room believes that the only acceptable result this season is a Stanley Cup. They’ve been far enough in the playoffs to know what it takes to win it all, and they have more than enough tools in the toolbox to get the job done. It’s now time for them to put their minds to it and get it done.

3-On-3 Overtime: Will it be an Advantage for Habs?

Oct 1, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) skates during the warmup period before the game against the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

The Habs may have an advantage over other teams when it comes to the controversial 3-on-3 overtime. As soon as you give guys like P.K. Subban and Jeff Petry space to skate, you’re opening up opportunities. Add in great 2-way forwards like Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty, and you’re well on your way to give opponents a hard time. But to me, the biggest different maker 3-on-3 is Carey Price who can handle the puck extremely well and isn’t shy about coming out when he has to. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if he wound up getting a few shots on net as he tries to drive the play back into the opposing zone and provide time for shift changes. Will it lead to a goal? Stranger things have happened!

Tilt vs Leafs

I really hope the Habs are able to set the tone against a Leafs team that will be looking to change its fate and show the league they’ve improved. It won’t be easy, but kicking the year off on the right foot would really help the Habs moving forward.

We’ll be looking at how the line combinations are working, the playing minutes, and how the power-plays differ from last season’s.

Enjoy the game and we’ll be all over the news that come from the start to another great Habs season!

Next: Montreal Canadiens: Are Therriens' Lines Set?