Canadiens Looking To Rebound After Tough Season

Injuries fully derailed the Montreal Canadiens’ 2015-16 season with no participant’s absence being sensed more than Carey Price’s. The Habs netminder was coming off the best season of his career — winning the Vezina, Hart and Ted Lindsay at the 2014-15 season — and looked excellent to initiate the season before a knee injury sidelined him.
Cost looked great during the World Cup of Hockey and should be back to full power for the Canadiens. The organization realized that injuries were not the sole issue and made several shrewd moves that could help fortify a power-play unit which ranked 25th last year.
The team traded away beloved PK Subban to get Shea Weber in hopes that his booming shot will lift the particular teams. The Canadiens also attracted Andrew Shaw’s crease presence aboard in addition to KHL standout — and after highly touted NHL prospect — Alexander Radulov to boost generation on the power play.
All and all, there has not been a huge amount of roster change to the 2014-15 Canadiens lineup which won the Atlantic Division and a playoff series. Hopes are high for the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge entering this year and the fans will be quick to call for heads to roll up if the team begins to fight.
Stanley Cup +2500
After launching last year with nine consecutive wins, then the injury bug hit the Canadiens. The group slowly fell apart and younger players were thrust to the lineup until they were necessarily prepared. Ultimately, that the Habs missed the playoffs and it was not even close.
Regardless of the negativity surrounding final season, there have been some positives to remove. Youngsters Sven Andrighetto, Jacob De La Rose and Daniel Carr all looked to be ready to play with the big club, which should help provide some energy to the bottom-six forwards. If these younger players reveal growth and high scorers such as Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk continue to play to their skill, then the Canadiens could be prepped for a deep playoff run.
Plus — — a healthy Cost means the entire world.
Eastern Conference +1200
Montreal has been the bridesmaid in the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens have found themselves losing in the conference finals in two of the past six seasons — while being discharged in relatively easy fashion on both events.
The East has several strong teams on top, as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals are constantly Cup contenders while the Florida Panthers, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning are just three of the toughest outs in the league.
From a casual perspective, it is difficult to lay +1200 on a team that missed the playoffs by such a wide margin last year, but this team can compete with the best in the seminar. The Canadiens deserve to have similar odds to teams such as the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders — both of which made the playoffs last season.
Atlantic Division +700
The Atlantic Division could be a crapshoot, to tell the truth. The Lightning are rightfully the hefty faves to win the division, but you could easily observe the Panthers, Bruins or even Canadiens asserting the crown.
Since the formation of the Atlantic three seasons before, that the Habs have completed third, first and sixth, respectively. Expect to find the group closer to the first two seasons than the latter. The Habs could be competitive against the top teams in the division, however they will need to distinguish themselves from the bottom. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators always play with the Canadiens tough, but Montreal must make the most of enjoying those groups so frequently.
Season Factors OVER/UNDER 95.5
Montreal easily surpassed that number in the two 2013-14 and 2014-15 by posting 100 and 110 points, respectively. This season’s club should play much like this than the group that has a measly 82 points last season.
It may take the team some time to jell again using different bits so attaining the 100-point plateau might be tough, but they should be able to transcend the 95.5 markers provided that they remain healthy.