Montreal Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien has got it all figured out. At least, that's definitely the impression he's giving to both fans and the media.

With a franchise best 6-0 record to start the regular season, the Habs are soaring. They're feeling confident, great, and are publicly reminding everyone to stay humble.
Therrien has been rolling all four lines, with every player averaging at least 11 minutes per game. Everyone on the team is pulling in the same direction, and a very obvious camaraderie between the teammates is in place.


In 2012, when general manager Marc Bergevin and Michel Therrien were hired to help bring the team back to its former glory, the mantra was "No Excuses". For those who did not show up to perform, they were quickly reminded as they stepped into the Bell Centre locker room.


This year, with the early success the team is experiencing, Therrien, Max Pacioretty and Carey Price have all stated that it's important for them to remain humble. Maybe that's what they should write on the locker room entrance.

Truthfully, this team will not go 82-0. That's impossible. And no player or staff member has ever really given me the impression that they were anything less than humble. Keeping both feet (skates?) on the ground will be essential, as the Habs take on the St-Louis Blues tonight at the Bell Centre.

While the Habs may be the only unbeaten team in the league, the Blues are the next-hottest team, coming off of four straight road wins and an impressive 5-1 record. Blues' forward sensation Vladimir Tarasenko was named the third star in the NHL last week, as he posted 3 goals and 6 points in four victories. He's simply on fire, with nine points to his season thus far, leading the league in points.


The Blues lead the league with an average of 3.5 goals per game, while the Habs are slightly behind with 3.33. For the latter, that's a significant improvement over their 2.61 GF/GP from last year, and the contribution of all four lines is surely an indicator of the dedication and perseverance of this hockey team. Once again, the help of the defensemen during the attack is also a causal variable, yet only Jeff Petry has managed to score a goal.

Carey Price has been having a great season once again, except he isn't being solely relied on to bail out his teammates game in and game out. Safe for the match against Toronto where he was called upon to be lights out, it's clear that Price has a significantly more stable defensive core in front of him that's a little younger than last year's. While he might have let in 2-3 questionable,uncharacteristic "soft" goals thus far, he never allows himself to be rattled on any plays.

His vis-a-vis will be Brian Elliott, who has looked sharp with a perfect 4-0 record and 2.01 GAA.

It seems like with every passing game, the Habs like to consider this next team their "biggest challenge yet". That may be so, but the Habs swept their two-game series against the Blues last season and will be playing their final of three home games before travelling to Buffalo on Friday and Toronto on Saturday. They'll take advantage of at least a day of practice in order to keep the momentum going on their power play, which went 2-for-5 last Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings.

A back-to-back against two teams who are struggling to find their identity will be an interesting challenge for the Bleu Blanc et Rouge, as they've frustrated many fans with their lacklustre play against inferior teams over the past few seasons.

Their true test will be to stay humble against The Sabres and the Maple Leafs.

Edit: TSN690 are reporting that Jake Allen will be in nets tonight. He has a 1-1 record, 3.03 GAA and a .887 SV%

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