As the Canadiens skated to a 2-1 win over the Bruins on Saturday, the realization that 10 games remained on the regular season schedule washed over Montreal.
The big win on Saturday was a day shy of a full calendar year to the day the team packed up its equipment for the season--on to the green pastures of golf as opposed to those of playoff glory.
Look where they stand today.
The Canadiens, up three points in the race for the division, down three points to the conference-leading Penguins have impressively distinguished themselves from the group that depressed Montreal with one of the worst seasons in franchise history.
It started with the restoration of image and franchise values, and it's capitulated with the restoration of pride the players have for the crest on the front of their jerseys.
Top-to-bottom, this is a proud hockey team, and that pride has enabled the cohesion we've seen on the ice. And it makes you think this team might be destined for a deep run in the post-season, which they're just a couple of points away from clinching a berth to.
Some teams need a superstar to carry them to the promised land. Time and time again, the Canadiens have thrived on the contributions of all. They've suffered injuries to key players, and the contribution potentially missed has been filled by everyone else healthy enough to participate.
Alexei Emelin was playing a fantastic game--another one--before he ran into Milan Lucic in the neutral zone on Saturday. The damage appeared to be severe, but under lock and key of the Canadiens' non-disclosure policy, it'll be some time before we know for sure
(UPDATE: EMELIN IS DONE FOR THE SEASON--HABS JUST ANNOUNCED 11:40am). What we can assume is that Emelin will miss a significant period of time, and that might be more concerning if the team hadn't acquitted itself so well under similar circumstances with other players this year.
The Habs fight for each other. That's what they did when Lars Eller took a bad penalty with a minute remaining in a one-goal game--a game that he had full command over up until that point.
His teammates held Boston shot-less through an agonizing minute of 6-on-4 disadvantage; another proof of character Bergevin and Therrien hoped to instill before the season got underway.
When we look at what was added to the team that failed so miserably last season, there are four people in particular that stand out above the rest. Obviously, Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk have brought a tremendous energy-boost to a team that desperately needed it. But the people I'm referring to are those that returned to Montreal this year for another kick at the can.
Michel Therrien, Francis Bouillon, Michael Ryder and Jeff Halpern have all played huge roles in the Canadiens success.
Halpern--the latest addition--has helped the team shore up its penalty kill, as they've jumped from 22nd to 15th in the category since his arrival. Halpern's prowess on the faceoff has certainly helped the team in key moments, even if it hasn't been enough to bring them out of the bottom-ten in the category. And surely you've noticed that he's moving faster than he did in his last go around Montreal.
What can be said about the contribution Michael Ryder's made?
This guy is twice the player he was when he left Montreal. Pierre McGuire says it's cause he's in the best shape of his career. All the more reason that the trade that Marc Bergevin made for him may very well go down as the best trade of the year, league-wide--and that includes the Nashville Predators fleecing the Washington Capitals by acquiring Filip Forsberg in exchange for Martin Erat.
Josh Gorges had about 100 good things to say about Francis Bouillon after Saturday's game. But perhaps the biggest compliment: "I've never seen him play better."
Bouillon's leadership has been paramount for the Canadiens this year. His character is undeniable, and it's the primary reason he was brought back, but his efficiency with the puck has truly never been better. And he's done it all with a revolving door of rookies and has-beens next to him. He's a +6 under the circumstances, not to mention his nine points, and his contribution in all situations.
And last but not least, Michel Therrien. The guy who went from habitually throwing players under the bus to deflecting praise as he gushed with pride in his team Saturday night. Jack Todd of the Gazette makes a great case for
why Therrien ought to win the Jack Adams award.
I recall making a suggestion that if the Therrien could bring this team to the playoffs, consideration for coach of the year should absolutely be there. The suggestion was met with mockery. So what would you say of the coach that brings a team from 15th in the conference to first in its division (second in the conference), or first in the conference? Should be a lock, no?
But this isn't about Therrien winning the Adams. It's not about Gallagher winning the Calder. Nor is it about Subban winning the Norris. This is about a team that wins a lot more than it loses because they play better as a team than their opponents do on most nights.
This team has been a pleasure to watch, shortened season or not. Last year's team was about as fun to watch as a funeral. The Habs have 55 points in 40 games. Were it a full season, they would be on pace for more than 110 points. Last year, they finished with 78, with point number 55 coming in game number 56.
Last year is a distant memory, fading with every game.
10 more to go...
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-One note today:
Was watching "After Hours" on Hockey Night in Canada, when Elliotte Friedman, who has a vote on the Norris talked about what might make Ryan Suter a more appealing candidate than P.K. Subban.
Suter leads the league in ice-time/game at 27:21. Subban clocks in at #44 on the list, at 22:58.
What needs to be taken into account is that Therrien and his staff played Subban under his average for the first 15 games of his season. Having missed camp and the first six games, they weren't just trying to teach Subban a lesson, they were managing his ice-time so as not to burn him out quickly.
The fact is, Subban has 32 points in 32 games, while Suter has 29 in 38 games.
Subban is a +13, and Suter is a +1.
While Friedman points to Suter's position in ice-time in relation to Subban's (1st-to-not even on the first page) the same comparison could be made in goals, where Subban leads defensemen with 10, and Suter's not on the first page. Not to mention Subban's powerplay dominance alongside Andrei Markov.
We'll see how the season ends for both players.
Running into Subban's father after the game, I remarked to him that he must be really proud of his son. He quipped: "Which one?", and then he proceeded to talk about how memorized he was by getting to see Markov after the game--labeling him a very special player.
Big Karl--as he's known--praises the work of the team, and just like P.K. says: "It's all about the team."
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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