The Montreal Canadiens haven’t given their fans a lot to be positive about in this 2021-22 season.
Expectations were pretty high for this team coming off an incredible playoff run last season. Fans were realistic in understanding the division had its usual powerhouses like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins as well as the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs.
But the team that won 13 playoff games a few months ago would surely find a way to at least hang around the playoff picture for most of the season, wouldn’t they?
They did not. As we know they now sit near the bottom of the standings after a disastrous season that included a comedy of injuries and absences. It seemed impossible to believe Cam Hillis would be playing in the NHL, with all due respect to the young player, but the team was missing about two dozen players with Covid or injuries at the time.
So, it has been easy to be negative. I mean, anyone who is being realistic can see how poorly this season has gone. But enough of that!
There are some silver linings coming out of this season. There have been some young players taking giant leaps forward and some players unexpectedly producing more than expected.
So, who has been better than expected this season? Let’s take a look at the top three.