Five straight wins and the Montreal Canadiens don’t look like they’re slowing down. With their new coach, new players and Carey Price looking better than ever, the Canadiens are feeling very confident.
Claude Julien has done a lot of key things for the Canadiens and is a large part of the reason they are 6-2-0 since his debut as head coach. Coach Julien acknowledges the fact that offense isn’t easy to come by for the habs, so he looks to his captain to lead by example. In his last 5 games, Pacioretty has 6 points ( 3 goals,3 assist) with a +6 +/- and the new coach couldn’t be prouder. “You don’t need to be a rah-rah guy, you don’t need to be a real vocal guy. But if you lead by example, which he’s done, you’re going to be respected by all your teammates and that’s the kind of leadership I can certainly live with and appreciate. So that’s exactly what he’s doing. He’s leading by example and we need that from him. He’s done a great job, at least since the day I’ve gotten here.” -Claude Julien on Max Pacioretty.
Marc Bergevin acquired size at the trade deadline with Jordie Benn, Dwight King, Andreas Martinsen and Steve Ott. The new acquisitions were very effective and brought a whole new level of physicality to the Canadiens on Saturday against the Rangers, out hitting their opposition 35-22. Dennis Gauthier said on l’Antichambre that Claude Julien could be ‘re-creating’ his former unstoppable fourth line that he had in Boston which was; Shawn Thornton, Gregory Campbell and Daniel Paille, with Steve Ott, Andreas Martinsen and Torrey Mitchell. Despite how happy Montreal fans are with our new fourth line, Jordie Benn steals the spotlight. The new defenseman has proven that he can hit, block shots, move the puck and play on the penalty kill, which has been improving since Julien started as head coach. Marc Bergevin inquired about getting a goal scorer, asking about Radim Vrbata, Matthew Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog. Now none of these players were traded because their asking price was too high, but there were two goal scorers that Marc Bergevin dropped the ball on. Thomas Vanek was acquired by the Florida Panthers for a young defensemen who has barely played in the NHL and a third round pick, Thomas Vanek’s price was not too high for the Habs and yet Marc Bergevin made little to no inquiries about him. The 33 year old has 15 goals and 38 points in 48 games with Detroit this season. Not only is he a threat during the regular season, but he can cause much more damage in the playoffs. The last time Vanek played for us in 2013-14 season he played 17 postseason games and recorded 5 goals and 10 points. Thomas Vanek could have helped the Canadiens through the playoffs and instead went to the Florida Panthers. Martin Hanzal has recorded 16 goals and 26 points in 51 games. The center men would have covered both size and scoring depth.
Everyone has seen the change in Carey Price since Claude Julien started. In his last five games he has only let in 6 goals on 135 shots for a .955% save percentage and a 1.20 goals against average. He has a .922% save percentage and a 2.31 goals against average on the year. The most recent numbers however show the Price that has been reliable in the past, and the Price that will potentially carry the Habs through the playoffs. If numbers don't convince you just take a look at his attitude. “It kind of felt like a new season,” Price said on first practice with Coach Julien. Despite his recent change, his 6 year 39 million dollar contract is coming to an end. The superstar goalie will no doubt be asking for a raise, but with having to sign Pacioretty, Radulov and Galchenyuk this coming summer, who knows if they will reach an agreement. Carey Price has been injured time and time again throughout the last 5 years, so keeping him healthy until the postseason is a serious priority for the team.
General manager Marc Bergevin and coach Claude Julien are putting their faith in Carey Price, a solid defence, and a belief that the guys who scored earlier in the season will regain their scoring touch and will lead them to the playoffs. With Carey Price looking better than ever, depth on their offence and defence and Claude Julien behind the bench, this dream that the Montreal Canadiens management have is starting to look more like a reality.
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