A Winning Habit
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The Montreal Canadiens are now right where they want to be

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 23: Montreal Canadiens celebrates right wing Joel Armia (40) goal during the third period of the NHL game between the Arizona Coyotes and the Montreal Canadiens on January 23, 2019, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 23: Montreal Canadiens celebrates right wing Joel Armia (40) goal during the third period of the NHL game between the Arizona Coyotes and the Montreal Canadiens on January 23, 2019, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The victory over the Arizona Coyotes brought the Montreal Canadiens to a top three spot in the Atlantic Division, but the work has just begun.

A strong start to the 2018/19 season not only had the Montreal Canadiens in a playoff spot but as one of the Atlantic Division’s best. Their quick play caught several teams off guard, and it also helped that the Boston Bruins weren’t too hot out of the gate.

Unfortunately, the Habs went through a few bumps along the road and for a moment were on the outside looking in, but they managed to stick with it and remain in a wild-card spot. Something to celebrate sure, yet not the most ideal situation when the calendar hits April and Montreal is forced to face the Tampa Bay Lightning or Washington Capitals in the first round (although history has shown better days against the latter).

Montreal continued to stockpile points as the Leafs and Bruins went through their relative slumps carrying them to this moment. Wednesday’s win over the Arizona Coyotes provided them with the means to leapfrog over Boston and take third place in the Atlantic Division.

But in professional sports, it’s not always what you have that’s the most important; it’s what you can do to keep it. The Bruins aren’t going to sit back and accept this new position in the standings. Although the season series between the two teams is over, the battle won’t end until the regular season wraps up.

Buffalo is too far back at this point to be a threat with a seven-point hole separating them and Montreal. If a team winds up knocking them down, it’ll be Boston, which could be what the Habs need to ensure they’re in check at all times.

The team is in fact right where they want to. However, similar to the case made when they were in a wild-card spot, they shouldn’t settle. Fight for home-ice advantage in the first round and fight to keep Boston where they are. The pressure from all of this may bring out more from this team that is yet to be shown.

Perhaps Jonathan Drouin and Victor Mete find another gear down the stretch. Carey Price is the best goaltender in the year, and even he could push himself to new heights with points being all the more important.

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