Montreal Canadiens: Playoff Record Over Regular Season Record
The Montreal Canadiens have for the most part always been a good regular season team, but this season should be all about the playoffs and nothing else.
Points. They have different meanings in the NHL. You could be referring to the defencemen’s position along the blue-line. It could also be in regards to how many goals or assists a player has. That’s something Montreal Canadiens fans may be paying attention to. Especially with the new additions and the hope that certain players have bounce back years.
The final thing points can refer to is the overall team. Where they finish in the division, conference, and the league is all dictated by points. Points from regulation wins and points from overtime or shootout loses.
However, the Canadiens shouldn’t be focused on those kind of points. Why? Because you don’t get points for wins in the playoffs.
Related Story: An Overtime to Win the Stanley Cup
Now obviously you need points to be able to make it to the playoffs. There’s no reason why the Montreal Canadiens shouldn’t make it this upcoming season. It would have to take a multitude of injuries and freakish bad luck for that to happen.
It isn’t ideal to get ahead of yourself, but the main question for the Habs should be, “What can we do to make sure that we get as far in the playoffs as possible?” We’ve seen this time and time again. Just because you have the best regular season record in the NHL, doesn’t guarantee that you win the Stanley Cup. Sorry, but ask the Washington Capitals who won the President’s Trophy two years in a row, or even the Vancouver Canucks of previous years.
The Montreal Canadiens need to make sure that they are ready for the end of April. Nothing else should matter.
Getting Ready for the Show
Management has already started to make some changes that will benefit the team long-term. Al Montoya is going to get increased playing time this season so Carey Price can get more rest and be ready for the playoffs.
More from Editorials
- Montreal Canadiens: Senators Rebuild At Crisis Point As Kent Hughes Moves Forward
- Montreal Canadiens: Jonathan Drouin Continues Charity Work In Montreal After Leaving Habs
- Montreal Canadiens: Laval Rocket Lineup Going To Be Must Watch
- Montreal Canadiens: Jesse Ylönen Contract Extension Analysis
- Montreal Canadiens: Top 31 Prospects – #31 Quentin Miller
There are risks behind this decision though. It’s possible that Montoya takes a step back from the performance he had last season. However if doing that ensures Price will be at his best come playoff time then so be it.
Additionally, the Montreal Canadiens need to do something they haven’t in a while. It’s been a running gag around the team, but there is an obvious reluctance to acquire a big piece at the trade deadline. Andreas Martinsen, Dwight King, and Steve Ott aren’t really going to be game changers. Of course you could argue that they may have been confident in the group they already had but still.
The last time the Habs made a serious addition at the deadline was back in 2014 when Thomas Vanek was brought around. He had six goals and nine assists in the remaining 18 games of the regular season. Most importantly, 10 points in 17 playoff games.
Finally, there can’t be any question marks around the roster. We need to know before April whether Alex Galchenyuk is the team’s top-line center or not. We need to see if Jakub Jerabek will excel in whatever position Claude Julien decides to place him. Habs fans need the team to be clicking on all levels and enter the playoffs focused and ready.
It’s a clichè, but the playoffs are indeed a different animal. The first round wont cut it anymore, however Habs fans should be confident that Marc Bergevin will do what he can to lengthen the team’s time in the post-season.
Next: Building a Team With Drafted Players
Do you care as much about the Habs’ regular season record? How far do they make it this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!