Montreal EASTERN CONFERENCE CANADIENS ATLANTIC DIVISION Offense The Montreal Canadiens struggled to generate offense throughout much of the season, but as per usual they turned it up during the postseason. Despite scoring just 215 goals, which ranked 21st in the league, they managed to earn 100 points and pushed themselves into the Eastern Conference finals. Max Pacioretty was a bright spot on offense as he cemented his status as a big time playmaker. He had a career-high 39 goals and led the league with 11 game-winners. Although the Canadiens have decided to go with four assistant captains instead of one true captain now that Brian Gionta is with the Buffalo Sabres, Pacioretty is clearly the player that teammates look to on offense. Teamed up with David Desharnais at center and Brendan Gallagher at right wing, they form a formidable first line that can compete with anyone in the league. Getting production from the rest of the lines will be the real key. Tomas Plekanec is not someone that Montreal will have to worry Carey Price about in any end of the ice. The reliable two-way center has been a consistent scorer in his nine full seasons with the team. He was second on the team with 20 goals. But his biggest contribution to the Canadiens may have come in the offseason. The small city of Kladno, Czech Republic has produced several NHL players, including Plekanec, Jaromir Jagr and newly signed Jiri Sekac. Having a familiar face around helped convince Sekac that Montreal was the place for him. He was second in the KHL in points with 39 and could be a huge move for the future of the Canadiens. In another offseason move, the team traded away Daniel Briere to the Colorado Avalanche for P.A. Parenteau. Although knee injuries really slowed Parenteau last season, he still managed 33 points in 55 games, and brings big time offensive potential to the team’s second line alongside Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk. Rene Bourque’s play has been uninspiring in his time with the Canadiens, but he played a pivotal role in the postseason where he scored eight goals in 17 games after scoring just nine through the regular season. Key Additions: P.A. Parenteau, Tom Gilbert, Jiri Sekac, Manny Malhotra Key Subtractions: Thomas Vanek, Brian Gionta, Josh Gorges, Daniel Briere STRENGTHS: Leadership in every area, stout defense, goaltending WEAKNESSES: Lack of secondary scoring Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images
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