"One question I have is, Why are the Habs doing so good"
I really don't know. I can't comprehend it, because last season was so awful. Last season made no sense.
Here is a list of reasons why we're good this year,
-Markov is back and healthy, his production early in the season really helped us
-Prust, Prust brings a huge amount of energy to the team and he wants to play here. Also he scores here, which he didn't really do in New York or Calgary (or Phoenix, yes apparently he played 11 games with them...)
-Diaz finally grew into himself. (and is now out with a concussion)
-Bourque finally grew into himself (and is now out with a concussion)
-Gionta is back, not having a captain hurts a team, a lot, and now Gio is back and producing
-Campoli and Kaberle aren't the top defensemen anymore. They are really, really awful.
-Our penalty kill is still absolutely dynamite
-Carey isn't left out to dry every single game
-Budaj is actually given responsibility and is winning games for us (he got a shutout! what!? and we gave him a Boston game...?)
-Ryan White matured! Prime example, tonight there was a Panther trying to start a really stupid fight and White just let the guy punch him and draw an interference call. Very unlike Ryan White, he can still destroy you in a fight but he's not as yappy
-I would say Erik Cole but we traded his dead weight, Cole was absolutely amazing last year but he just couldn't get it together this season
-Plekanec actually has wingers that work.
-Pacioretty caught his stride, it took him a long while this season.
-New Coach, New GM.
-Therrien has brought in a new system that everyone has to commit to. The Boys know they have a real coach this year who isn't leaving and is committed to them.-Bergevin cut off Scott Gomez and his insane contract and brought in some really good pieces this summer.
And finally, the Gallys.
-Alex Galchenyuk, drafted him 3rd over all in the spring. We got him because we were so bad. And Man has he helped this team. It's nice having a good shot of youth, I can say this because I'm older than him right?
-Brendan Gallagher, you might remember Gallagher from the 2012 WJC. Drafted incredibly low because he's "too small" (those words mean nothing in Montreal) Gallagher is the spunk we needed. Gallagher grinds and skates around aggravating everyone and he scores. He replaced Cole in the line with Desharnais and Pacioretty and is doing wonders there.
In October/ January everyone was projecting Montreal would finish 13th or 12th in the east. They said we were the same team, the same bodies. We're not the Habs are not the same as last year, it's not that we've added a whole lot to our line up (Prust, Boullion, Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Ryder) But our whole mentality has changed. The Habs last season were in shambles, interim coach, Cammalleri traded mid-game, depending fully on Price to win every single game, Gill one of our heart and soul guys traded for some crap pieces even though he wanted to stay, people playing bigger than the team, not playing a full 60 minutes, giving up, practically every single person was injured. All of this is gone. New team. The team slogan for this year is, No Excuses and that is exactly what is happening.
I knew we were going to have a playoff spot this year, did I think 1st in the east, 3rd in the league? In no way did I even try to dream that. Every source completely underestimated us, the fan bases underestimated us. Of course we've had horrible games and we'll have more but every team does.
And this season more than ever the team motto rings clear, "To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high"
p.s It will be 20 years this June since the Habs won the cup and I cannot think of a more perfect time to win it again
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