Top 10 reasons for Habs' unexpected success


As the Canadiens take a well-deserved day off, here are 10 reasons why they are the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference:

Top 10 reasons for Habs' unexpected success


1. Alex Kovalev: He's the Habs' most valuable player, and coach Guy Carbonneau believes he deserves consideration for the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP. Not only has Kovalev rebounded from a disappointing 2006-07 season, but he has made the other players around him better through his actions on - and off - the ice.

2. Bob Gainey's vision: The general manager has taken some heat for deals he has - and hasn't - made, but he has never wavered from his philosophy of building from within. Many fans were disappointed when Gainey dealt goaltender Cristobal Huet to Washington at the trading deadline and failed in his bid to land an impact forward. Since then, the Canadiens are 10-3-1.

3. Experience: This might seem strange for a team that is the sixth-youngest in the NHL, but Carbonneau notes most of the youngsters have benefited from their previous exposure to the NHL or - in the case of players like Carey Price, Maxim Lapierre and Ryan O'Byrne - from being part of Hamilton's Calder Cup run last spring in the American Hockey League.

4. Depth: Coming out of the lockout, the Canadiens were thin on defence, but this season they had so many defencemen that they moved Mathieu Dandenault and Mark Streit to forward. On any given night, the Canadiens have capable NHL players watching from the press box.

5. Good health: The Canadiens have lost fewer than 100 man-games to injury and their depth has allowed them to compensate for the most serious loss - defenceman Mike Komisarek, who should be back for the playoffs. Carbonneau said he won't apologize for the fact his team is healthy, adding: "We've worked at it. The guys are in shape and we've given them time off so they don't get worn out."

6. Road-ice advantage: The Canadiens are 23-11-4 on the road this season, which has helped make up for the fact they have almost as many losses at home (19) as they have wins (20).

7. Power play: Most people felt the Canadiens' power play would drop off after the departure of Sheldon Souray, but it has been even better. Credit Kovalev and Andrei Markov, who have brought their chemistry to the mix. The Canadiens are leading the league for a second consecutive year because they are more creative and less predictable.

8. Markov, Komisarek and Roman Hamrlik: Okay, they're not the Big Three of Larry Robinson, Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe, but New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro recently said Markov and Komisarek are the best defensive pairing in the East. As for Hamrlik, he is a definite upgrade on Souray as a defensive player and also serves as a mentor for young players like O'Byrne and Josh Gorges.

9. The kids: One-third of the players on the roster are 25 or younger. That's usually a sign of good things to come, but the youngsters are already playing key roles with the youngest goaltending duo in the NHL - 20-year-old Price and 22-year-old Jaroslav Halak - leading the way.

10. The coach: Carbonneau also has benefited from a year of experience. He has become a better communicator in his second year and it seems whenever he has had occasion to call out a player, the player has responded with a better effort. In a season with no shortage of coach-of-the- year candidates, he should be on everybody's short list.



Story Tools

Roman Hamrlik is a mentor for younger players on the squad.
Alex Kovalev (left, with Andrei Kostitsyn) has been the Habs' most valuable player this season as well as a leader on and off the ice.

Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen

Photos: Leonard Cohen honoured...

Leonard Cohen is honoured at the Glenn Gould Prize...

Costa Concordia cruiseship

Gallery: Italian cruise ship disaster...

Passengers leapt into the sea and fought over lifejackets...

Republican candidates race to the finish

Gallery: Republican candidates...

Republican presidential candidates race across Iowa...


More Stories