The Montreal Canadiens are lucky to be given the opportunity to play, and three players, in particular, have a chance to prove their worth in the Play-In Round.
There are different ways to approach the format for the rest of the season. Teams in the upper ranks of the league haven’t changed their stance as it’s been a solid year for them with Stanley Cup aspirations. For those teams that were on the bubble, they have a chance to contend for a playoff spot. The same can be said for a team like the Montreal Canadiens, but there are also individual storylines that could be rectified in that opening series.
The 2019-20 season didn’t go nearly as planned. Injuries were one of the defining factors; however, it also came to individual play that slowly affected the whole. Players who were hoping to take a step forward instead stayed where they were or, even worse, walked their progress back.
With the upcoming Play-In round, these players have a chance to not only show off their worth but do so in a more competitive atmosphere. Even though those games aren’t officially the playoffs, it will still be a scenario where the Montreal Canadiens are playing for their lives.
A lot can be taken from games such as those, and that’s why hockey minds never discount the impact of playoff experience. Not to mention the fact that the Habs are doing so against the Pittsburgh Penguins who have been one of the most successful franchises in the last ten years.
The future may not already be set for these three players. Each has their own individual stories that got them to this point, and how they play could sway some decisions from management, especially given the fact that the roster still needs to be improved.