Photo credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
At the Christmas break, the Canadiens head into the pause with a rare smile.
In the standings, Montreal sits in 6th place in the NHL.
After 37 games, the Habs hold a record of 20-12-5 for 45 points. In the East, that also puts the club very high, to the point where the team can breathe a little before returning.
If you had told me that in September, I would have looked at you sideways.
We were expecting a roller-coaster season, not to see the Tricolore battling with the league’s big names. And yet, the Canadiens head into the holidays with a cushion over several teams chasing them.
The Montreal Canadiens sit just ahead of Patrick Roy’s New York Islanders, and Kent Hughes is accomplishing his mission so far
Patrick Roy’s club has also played 37 games, but owns a 20-13-4 record for 44 points.
A small difference, but a difference nonetheless-especially at a time when everyone is taking stock at midseason. It puts a dose of pressure on the teams right behind.
In that part of the standings, one extra game played or one fewer point can quickly change the picture.
Nothing is won, obviously, and the schedule will hit hard after the holidays. But heading into the break in such a strong position is a real boost for the locker room, for management, and for the fans.
The Habs are not perfect, but they are in the mix-and that is damn good news. We can also partly thank young Jacob Fowler for this strong late push.
The real challenge starts after the break-but Montreal has earned the right to believe.
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