Media's disrespect for Canadiens in power rankings is hard to believe

The Montreal Canadiens are easily one of the top-16 teams in the league. They've been on an upward trajectory since the season's poor start, and look in a good position to claim the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference or at least be right there until the end of the season. However, the power rankings release weekly, and the Canadiens can barely crack the top-20. The national media is struggling to comprehend how the Canadiens are getting back to playoff contention so quickly, and it reflects in a 21st ranking in Daily Faceoff's Power Rankings and the 18th spot in TSN's Power Rankings.

Daily Faceoff - 21st

"Hunter: The Canadiens won only once this week, but both their losses came in overtime or a shootout, and they now have at least one point in six straight. The Rangers are just one point behind, and if you had to guess which of the two would make it, I would say New York. But selfishly, as a Canadian hockey fan? Let’s get as many teams in as possible. 

Scott: I’m still quite adamant that this is the worst team of the bunch in this East wild card race, but they’re also one of the more fun options. Plus, playoff hockey in Montreal is always a sight."

The Canadiens stats over the past few months as reflected by the X user above are self-explanatory. Either the Daily Faceoff crew haven't been watching enough Montreal hockey or they choose to ignore the facts in front of them on the screen. Maybe the Canadiens don't make the postseason and get passed by the New York Rangers, but that doesn't mean they deserve the disrespect shown in this article.

One writer at least acknowledges that playoff hockey in Montreal will make the postseason more enjoyable for all hockey fans, but that being the only compliment for the Canadiens in this article is interesting. The Canadiens roster is only getting better, and it's time for people to start recognizing it.

TSN - 18th

"As for those pesky Canadiens, Montreal is up one spot, from 19th to 18th, this week. The Canadiens have no quit in their game. Montreal erased a three-goal deficit against the Avalanche Saturday to earn a crucial point in the playoff race. Montreal sits in the final wild-card spot in the East and has a 50 per cent chance of making the playoffs, according to our model. While it might seem like a coin flip, the teams chasing Montreal haven’t shown much life recently as the Rangers appear to be the biggest threat, one point back of the Canadiens but with two more games played."

TSN is slightly less direspectful in their power rankings, which makes sense considering they broadcast so many of their games. However, they also don't have much belief that the Canadiens will hold off the Rangers for that last wild card spot.

Will the Canadiens finally get the respect they deserve if they make the postseason? The media might still find a way to keep them in 17th or lower in the power rankings even if they end up in the playoffs.