Montreal Canadiens Preview 2021
Last season, our Montreal Canadiens preview 2021 - 22 notes that the Habs made the playoffs with the fewest points (59) of any playoff team. The Canadiens then went on to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. In the Finals, they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning four games to one. What will the Habs do this season? It won’t be an easy road back to the playoffs, as they will be without three huge performers from last season, center Phillip Danault (FA to LA Kings), defenseman Shea Weber (injuries), and goaltender Carey Price (leave of absence - substance abuse treatment). The one bright spot is Price is expected to be back at some point in the season.
Canadiens - Key Skaters
Likely first liners will be Nick Suzuki at center and Tyler Toffoli and Josh Anderson on the wings. There’s scoring potential here. However, none of these guys have the defensive chops that Danault offered. in the D spots, look for 11-year veteran David Savard to share the ice with second-year player Alexander Romanov. Savard offers leadership combined with experience and diminishing skills. Romanov is talented but raw. Our Montreal Canadiens preview 2021 - 22 notes that winger Cole Caufield, also in his second season, has speed, but he’s diminutive and will be tested by an 82-game season.
Montreal Canadiens Preview 2021 – Goaltending
In goal, Jake Allen, who came to the Habs last year after seven seasons with the Blues, is good. He brings a lifetime mark of 159-106-31, a 2.53 GAA, and .912 SV%. In eight NHL seasons, he’s played on average in 37.25 GPS. Also on hand is Sam Montembeault. He comes to the Canadiens after two seasons with Florida. In that time, Montembeault started 19 games and appeared in 25, posting a 9-8-3 record. He recorded a 3.18 GAA and .892 SV%. Neither of these netminders are lights out. If Price can come back and be as effective as he’s been in the past 14 years with this team, he could be a season changer.
Montreal Canadiens Preview 2021 – Final Word
On July 13, 2021, interim head coach Dominique Ducharme was promoted by the Canadiens to head coach. This was due to his leadership during last season’s run at and through the playoffs. However, in developing our Montreal Canadiens preview 2021 - 22, we can see that Ducharme is coaching a much different team than he did last season. There’s less experience and skill. There are major weaknesses on defense and goaltending is a huge question mark. Consequently, we don’t expect to see this version of the Habs in the postseason.
NHL Atlantic Division - Montreal Canadiens Projection 2021
Finish: 7th
No Postseason Appearance