3 X-Factors that will make the rest of the Canadiens season exciting

It doesn’t look like the Canadiens are going anywhere this season unless they find a way to embark on a major winning streak or two, but it doesn’t mean they won’t be fun to watch.

Feb 13, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (14) celebrates his / David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

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Cayden Primeau’s improvement is more than worth keeping tabs on

Cayden Primeau has made several starts for the Canadiens over the past five seasons, culminating with 28 as of February 16th and 33 starts. Over his sporadic appearances across four seasons in Montreal’s system, Primeau posted a record of 3-12-2 in 17 starts, a 0.871 save percentage, an ugly 4.11 GAA, seven quality starts, and nine really bad starts.

However, things have taken a turn for the better in 2023-24. Primeau is 5-5-1 this year with a sound 0.903 save percentage, a 3.07 GAA, a shutout, and a 0.545 quality starts percentage. Better yet, his quality starts to really bad starts ratio is a remarkable 6:1, so it’s clear Primeau is trending in the right direction.

No, these overall numbers aren't where they need to be yet, but Primeau has shown us enough so far this season that he can at least withstand being part of a future rotation in Montreal. If he starts putting up routine games when his save percentage is 0.910 or better and is allowing fewer than three goals on most nights from now until mid-April, Primeau’s continued improvement should inspire this fan base heading into next season.

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