Around The NHL In 30 Days: Do You Speak French?
By Frank Rekas
The writers here at the FanSided Sports Network are now on day nine of our NHL season preview. I’d like you to skate over to each of our sites daily and see what our talented hockey writers have to say about their teams’ upcoming season. Remember, we’re all fans and we have high expectations for our team, and previews are what they are…..previews. It will be interesting to see what the gang here has to say about their respective clubs. Will the Washington Capitals finally challenge for the Cup, what will happen to the Boston Bruins as they try to defend their championship, and can the Vancouver Canucks survive the “heartbreak” of losing in the Finals without tearing up their city….again.
One of the most storied franchise’s in NHL history, the Montreal Canadiens are on the docket today as our Steven Ellis and Jackson Scarrow do a combined preview at A Winning Habit. The Habs under french speaking coach Count Chokula JMart Uncle Jack Jacques Martin finished the season with a 44-30-8 record good enough for 96 points in the Northeast division, and 6th in the Eastern Conference. The biggest question that I have besides will Uncle Jack finish the season behind the bench, is the same question that many others have…..can Andrei Markov get through the entire season healthy? A vital part of Montreal’s blueline, Markov who played only7 games last season is looking to start the season after a recovery from a knee injury last season.
Here’s a brief prediction from the boys at A Winning Habit:
"Montreal is going to make the playoffs. It won’t be a high position, but it means we have a chance. Realistically, a 6th, 7th or 8th place finish is what they should be looking at. The Bruins are still the favorites to win the Cup, so if they finish high enough, they may face the Habs again in the first 2 rounds. But, as we found out this year, Montreal is always competitive against our hated rivals, and will put up a fight. With all the drama that happened last season, they should put up a big fight. If Montreal can beat the Bruins, they can beat almost anybody."
The franchise savior as he is known in some parts of Montreal, Carey Price is looking to duplicate if not improve upon his season last year. All eyes were on Carey as Montreal put their faith in the talented as Jaroslav Halak went to St. Louis. Price performed superbly winning 38 games in 72 outings that included 8 shutouts. His backup however is Peter Budaj and that seems a bit scary if you ask me, but I’m sure that JM will ride Carey as much as possible. Hopefully for Montreal’s sake, he’ll be fresh for the playoffs.
The Habs always help fill the Bank Atlantic Center with all the “visiting” snowbirds. Watching a game in our building with them here makes you think you’re in Montreal with all the Habs sweaters. I’m hoping that on the two visits that Montreal has this season to sunny South Florida we outnumber them for a change.
Tomorrow our FanSided previews continue with a look at the Nashville Predators.
Thanks as always for reading. We welcome your comments and opinions.
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