habsfanatics*
Registered User
- May 20, 2012
- 5,051
- 1
With solid goaltending we're the class of the division, so unless we suffer crazy injuries, 1st.
The name of the game for the habs is the powerplay.
Habs might not be build for the playoff but i'm pretty sure they're build for the season.
Fast team attract lots of powerplay opp. (1st last year...by a long shot too)
And we have the players to create a monster powerplay units.
This is why we finished 1st in our division last year.
But with the parity in the league....Health might be the biggest Joker of the game.
Wouldn't be surprise to see the Habs in the top 3!!
Habs had a good PP but I believe they were one of the better 5 on 5 teams also...PK struggled, in large part due to Price having a down year.
What was our 5 on 5 +-?
I'm positive we will be ahead of Buffalo, Tampa, and Florida.
I'm pretty sure we will be behind Boston, but I thought that last year and we beat them, so I won't write off our chances completely.
Then there is the middle four in Detroit, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. Detroit is IMO overrated because of recent success but they are aging and it just has that feeling that they are very beatable. Toronto overachieved last season. I don't care if people say we overachieved too (which they definitely are saying) but Toronto were a terrible team last year in terms of puck possession and they were insanely lucky with shooting percentage. I feel we beat them pretty easy if we play even close to potential. Ottawa is really hard to read because of their injuries last year and the loss of their long time captain. Craig Anderson has never put up the same numbers he did last year over a full season and I think if they are counting on him too they will be disappointed. Ryan is a nice addition but I don't like Turris as a 2C, especially when Spezza's back injury appears to be chronic (or maybe I am misremembering). I think we can beat them but we will stay close all year.
So TLDR 2-5.
5th. Plus the start of the season will be arduous, as this team doesn't seem as hungry as last season.
Boston
Detroit
Ottawa
Montreal
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Florida
Buffalo
I expect Boston and Detroit to be way ahead of everyone
I wouldn't be suprise to see Toronto have a good season. They have a good team. They have a balance of size, skill, speed and team thoughness.
If Bernier is as good as some people think he is watch out. Personally i am a bit skeptic, but let's wait and see. Reimer is good but unconsistant.