The Montreal Canadiens got the win against the Vancouver Canucks in their final game before the bye-week which could mean one of two things.
Hours after Marc Bergevin spoke to the media; the Montreal Canadiens started the second half of the 2017-18 season with a win. It was a solid effort from the Habs, and the players who were meant to contribute did.
No one expected Karl Alzner to open the scoring for the team, but they also had Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, Paul Byron, and Max Pacioretty find the back of the net. It was pretty fitting for Alzner to score considering Bergevin hinted at him being one of the players that management expected more of. Granted it was on the defensive side of the puck where they thought he would excel, but Alzner has had a better effort as of late.
We still have to put this game into perspective. Although the Habs scored three or more goals for the first time since the Calgary game, it was the Vancouver Canucks, a team who is 2-6-2 in their last ten and a bottom-feeder in the league. However, a win is a win, and based on Bergevin’s reluctance to give up on the season, he and the rest of the Habs will take the two points.
“I’m a fighter, and I’ve heard my coaches and players say the same thing. We’re going to keep fighting until the end.” -Marc Bergevin#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 7, 2018
Montreal is now 26th in the league, seven points out of the final wild-card spot, and 12 points away from third in the Atlantic Division. If the Habs general manager is committed to his belief that the team can still make the playoffs, it’ll be a massive hill to climb. Based on last year’s point totals, at least a 55 point hill.
There are another 40 games left to be played this season, and we won’t know exactly how they will play out. If we believe that Bergevin’s hopes were genuine and not just words of reassurance to ‘calm’ the masses, he may be the most optimistic man on the planet.
Tanking is a delicate world in this sport we love called hockey. Some accept it and welcome it into their organizations while others think it wrong and cowardly. However, with talents like Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov, and Brady Tkachuk available, its hard not to think about the benefits of a bottom five finish.
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The Habs are at a crossroads right now. Do you try to win in an attempt to spark a miracle run but at the same time hurt your chances at one of the three lotteries?
Bergevin mentioned the Devils, Flyers, and Stars of last year’s draft lottery and how they jumped up despite finishing 27th, 19th, and 24th respectively. There’s no guarantee that something like that happens again. Colorado and Vancouver got the short end of the stick, but maybe one of those teams actually wins it this time.
No one is saying that the Montreal Canadiens should go 0-40-0 in the rest of the regular season, but there’s not of a benefit of a middle of the pack finish. On the other hand, anything can happen in a lottery. A middle of the pack finish could end up being a winner, but it may be better to give yourself the best chance of getting top organization changing talent.
Nevertheless, just like anything in life, only time will tell.
Next: Highlights from Bergevin's Presser
Where is your stance on the Habs’ season? Do you think they should try to win or tank? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.