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Upcoming West Coast Trip Has Potential To Make Or Break Season

March 4, 2019, 9:32 PM ET [414 Comments]
Brandon Smillie
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Montreal Canadiens have won 2 of their last 3 games and while all points count I doubt many will be too excited about beating on the punchless Red Wings and rebuilding New York Rangers. Especially when they follow those two wins up with a 5-1 loss against Wild Card rival Pittsburgh Penguins.

So the upcoming California road trip that has historically punished the Habs has some huge importance. The Canadiens need to take minimum 4 points out of the 3 game trip through Los Angeles, San Jose, and Anaheim.

With the Kings and Ducks closing in on inevitable rebuild plans one would hope the Canadiens don't let these teams play spoiler to their playoff aspirations. But if any teams can it's the teams led by Doughty and Getzlaf. The game in the middle of the trip is against the high scoring Sharks who may be without superstar E Karlsson and maybe E Kane.




The Sharks are the 2nd highest scoring team in the league, have the 6th best shooting percentage at 10.7%, and the 5th best Power Play at 25.1%. They also only allow 28.4 shots a game on average which is good for 2nd best in the NHL.

Basically, a win against the Sharks would be a huge confidence booster for this young Habs squad and take them nicely into the next segment of the season. But if we are being objective it would appear that the Sharks should win that game just like the Canadiens should with the other two that book end it. Games are played on the ice and not on paper so nothing is ever certain, but this trip would be a great exercise in preparing for a playoff schedule.

One other thing about the San Jose game to consider is the Sharks will be playing after 3 games off with the last game being against the aging Blackhawks. I would think the gameplay going into the game will be speed, speed, speed to catch the Sharks with whatever rust that 3 days off may bring.

To put another exclamation point on how important(!) this trip is consider the final four games of the Habs season go: Jets (as Visitors), Lightning (at Home), Capitals (as Vistors), and Maple Leafs (at Home). This will not be easy, but it is possible that teams like Tampa Bay and Washington may rest some stars. Any help heading into the last 8 points of the season will be welcome as the Canadiens likely won't be able to rest anyone unless they go on a 8 game winning rip ASAP.




Actually, to meet the coveted 96 point threshold they likely need to make the playoffs they need to win 10 of the last 16 games to hit 97 points and this SHOULD be enough to make the playoffs. Currently they hold a slim, 2 point advantage over the Columbus Blue Jackets but the BJ's have a game in hand. Behind them are the Philadelphia Flyers with 72 points in 66 games so the Habs may get away with going .500 over the remainder of the season, but I doubt there will be any games off from here on out.

The effort and finish has to be there right now. If they want to make the Playoffs then they might as well start to practice the effort needed now because this is basically the gauntlet to earn a ticket to the second season.

Do well here in these final 16 games and anything can happen once the playoffs begin.

Oh, and let's not forget about the impending Habs record about to fall. Carey Price is two wins away from becoming the winningest goaltender in Montreal Canadiens history. A living legend before our eyes in an incredibly surprising season with some elite youth ready to enter the fold in the next year and beyond.

I know the pressure is on for playoffs, but the added pressure of trying to help set the Canadiens goaltending all time wins record is no doubt weighing on this group as well. My hope is they get all that out of the way on this road trip and head home with 4-6 points with a date against the Red Wings.

This trip could ease some of the pressure on the team (and fans alike) or it could bring about another "The Sky Is Falling!" reaction amongst the fanbase and media.... Please Hockey Gods, don't let this road trip bring the latter...

Go Habs Go!



Rest In Peace Ted Lindsay. It is never a good feeling as a fan of the game when one of the Legends passes away. Ted will be remembered as a great player and a terrible opponent. I think he would be proud of that and I know the Red Wings fans appreciate him greatly.






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