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Montreal Canadiens: Your guide on how the Habs will matchup against each team in an All-Canadian division

By Matthew Candy

July 28, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens scores on a backhand shot against goaltender Frederik Andersen #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period of an exhibition game prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on July 28, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. Mandatory Credit: Mark Blinch/NHLI via USA TODAY Sports
July 28, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens scores on a backhand shot against goaltender Frederik Andersen #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period of an exhibition game prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on July 28, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. Mandatory Credit: Mark Blinch/NHLI via USA TODAY Sports /
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OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 11: Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 11: Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /

Ottawa Senators

Canadiens’ 2019-20 record vs. Ottawa: 3-0-1

2019-20 Leading Scorer: Brady Tkachuk 44 points

The Senators failed to qualify for the NHL play-in round and were left with a lot of questions surrounding their roster. The Sens were also troubled with hitting the salary cap floor, so multiple signings were made by GM Pierre Dorion to assure Ottawa was compliant.

Acquired via trade was big blueliner Eric Gudbranson and Stanley cup winning goaltender Matt Murray. Russia’s Evegenii Dadonov was signed to add some scoring punch, along with former Hab Alex Galchenyuk.

Although Dorion and the Sens made some good offseason moves, I don’t think it will be enough to push them into a playoff-contending team quite yet. Ottawa has a very talented pipeline of prospects that need time to develop , and when they do, the Sens will be in a position to succeed. Until then, there will not be a lot of quality in their lineup.

Montreal will undoubtedly have a deeper lineup. Though Ottawa’s forward group has improved from last season, the Habs have four lines that can put the puck in the net.

The same can be said for the defense, as apart from Thomas Chabot, the Sens lack top four defensemen. In net, Murray will have to regain his confidence to be able to compete with Carey Price. Special teams sway in favour of Montreal, as Ottawa finished last in powerplay percentage and 28th in penalty kill percentage in the 2019-20 season.

Overall, Montreal will be the favorite when facing the Senators this season. That being said, Ottawa should not be underestimated as offseason acquisitions, and upcoming rookies could inject some life into the Sens’ lineup.

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