A Winning Habit
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Montreal Canadiens: Storylines and battles heading into training camp

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 26: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Juulsen (58) congratulates Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) after winning the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens on March 26, 2018, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 26: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Juulsen (58) congratulates Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) after winning the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens on March 26, 2018, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – NOVEMBER 16: Montreal Canadiens (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Niemi vs. Lindgren

While we’re on the topic of goaltenders, there are two fighting for the backup position behind Price. Before the season ended, it looked like Charlie Lindgren was finally going to get a full-time spot on the team. He proved he could put together a set of NHL starts and was strong in net for Montreal.

Unfortunately, he fell victim to the Habs defensive breakdowns. But the 24-year-old managed to have some nights that Price himself would be proud of.

The thing is, so did Niemi. His story from the beginning of the year to the finale was well-worth the nomination for the Bill Masterton Trophy. Niemi went from two awful stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers respectively to finding some stability in Montreal, to a lot of people’s surprise (including my own).

The 35-year-old’s first start against the Nashville Predators was a solid one despite it ending in the shootout. In fact, Niemi didn’t have too many poor starts save for the Saturday night game against the Vegas Golden Knights (ha irony).

He worked for that one-year extension and deserved the extended look in Montreal. Nothing is set in stone though. What’s to say Niemi has another slow start and needs to find his game in the minors again? That could pave the way for Lindgren to make the team to start the season. The easier option is the latter, and that’s where the battle comes into play.

Management would have no problem at all with Lindgren playing a full season as the number one for the Laval Rocket. The AHL club weren’t exactly the ’95 Devils, to say the least, and his stats suffered because of it. Lindgren must force the hand of Claude Julien as the odds are stacked against him to win the battle.

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