Still undefeated.
By beating the Detroit Red Wings last night, the Montreal Canadiens have become the only undefeated team in the NHL.
Although last year the Habs' success was based on Carey Price's game, this year, there are other factors that give the Canadiens an edge each and every game.
First of all, general manager Marc Bergevin has done a tremendous job do build a team with a lot of depth. Every forward in the Canadiens' lineup could play either a more offensive role or a defensive role on the team. The first three lines are very fast and can provide scoring chances and stellar defensive play.
The chemistry of the third line made of Thomas Fleischmann-David Desharnais-Dale Weise is what could push Montreal deep in the playoffs, with a great mix of speed, skill and grit, they make it really hard on opposing third defensive pairings. The second line is very offensive and they keep the puck, most of the time, away from their own zone, making it hard for opposing team to create chances, with Semin, Galchenyuk and Eller. The first line is a bit less talented, but very experimented with a proven scorer, Max Pacioretty, a solid two-way center in Thomas Plekanec and a speedy,gritty winger in Brendan Gallagher.
On defense, the Montreal Canadiens have three very balanced pairings. Subban with Markov, Petry with Emelin, and Beaulieu with Gilbert, all three combinations can move the puck well to their speedy forwards and can use their body to defend their zone.
Obviously in net, well the Montreal Canadiens have simply the best goalie in the world, Carey Price.
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