There’s no pleasantries when stepping out on the ice against these teams

As all sports fans know, if there’s one thing that’s almost as fantastic a feeling as watching your team win, it’s watching your rival team lose. Times that feeling by a thousand if it’s actually your team that manage to inflict defeat on your biggest sporting foes. Well, the Montreal Canadiens are a hockey franchise that have acquired some truly legendary rivalries since they were founded way back in 1909. After all, as the most decorated NHL side of all-time, with their 24 Stanley Cup wins, it’s no real surprise, as success does breed resentment.  

Here’s a rundown of the Habs’ greatest rivalries then, as we discuss which teams they truly love to hate.  

The Boston Bruins 

Known as one of the greatest rivalries in the whole of sports, the Habs and the Boston Bruins have an intense disdain for one another that has mostly been borne out of familiarity. This tracks with the knowledge that the two sides have played each other more times, both in the regular season, and in the playoffs, than any other two teams in NHL history. No wonder there’s such bad blood on display between the two teams then, as they’ve faced each other an insane 931 times in all competitions. We’re delighted to say that the Habs have the upper hand though, with more games being won overall by those in red and blue.  

Habs vs Bruins rivalry

The rivalry evolved from mere dislike to utter hatred in the 1970’s, when both sides were real powerhouses in the league, constantly battling it out to get their hands on The Cup. Again, we’re pleased to say it was the Habs who came out on top, managing to win a miraculous six titles, with their silky smooth hockey dominating the boorish Bruins, whose hard-hitting tactics only captured them two in that decade. It was also during this era that the Habs were great enough to tie with the Soviet Union’s Olympic team, which was one of the best Montreal Canadiens moments of all-time. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs 

This rivalry shouldn’t be too difficult for outsiders to comprehend, as it’s between the two oldest teams in the NHL, but even more importantly than that, it’s the battle for Canadian supremacy of the national sport. Interestingly, historians account that the rivalry between the two cities began before the birth of the two clubs, with both Toronto and Montreal duelling it out for economic and cultural superiority during the 1800’s. So, when hockey was introduced in 1917, which was the first meeting between the two sides, this just further elevated the competitive nature between the cities.  

The rivalry really gathered steam in the Original Six era, which ran between 1942 and 1967. This was when, like the name suggests, there were only six teams competing in the NHL, and of those six, it was more often than not either the Habs, or the Leafs, celebrating come the end of the season. This meant that each fanbase saw themselves as the number one team in the country, and was a real source of national pride.  

The Habs have some of the fiercest rivalries in the league

Tampa Bay Lightning  

The previous two entries are historic enemies of the Habs, enemies that are now very much woven into the fabric of the franchise. This rivalry though, is a more modern one, one where the buds of loathing are only just beginning to bloom. The Tampa Bay Lightning were only founded in 1992, and like most late-comers in hockey, it took them a good few years to become a serious franchise. Since 2013 though, they’ve been in the Atlantic Division along with the Habs, where the two have been duking it out to reign supreme.  

In that time, they’ve also had some epic play-off meetings, including in 2004, 2014, 2015, 2021. There’s no doubt that as the important games continue to rack up, this rivalry will continue to grow and grow. Unfortunately, the Lightning currently have the most wins in these post-season games, winning twelve, to the Habs’ seven. It seems like most sports bettors will be backing Tampa at this moment in time, though we hope that changes soon.  

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Canadiens vs Lightning 2021 Stanley Cup Finals

When it comes to hockey stories, diehard fans pay attention to even the smallest and most speculative reports. Whether following their favorite player as the trade window opens or trying to learn more about their team’s history, there’s always a new story to follow.

Across the country, hockey sees plenty of coverage each day—and not just news-related. There are puck can coolers, fantasy sports leagues, and phrases immortalizing hockey as ‘the dance of life’.

Even some online casinos explore the sport through games like slots. Canadian site Wildz.com, for example, includes titles like Blazing Ice and All Sports, which draw on the sport’s natural excitement. But the Habs aren’t quite like the NHL’s other twenty-nine teams.

They’re the oldest team in the league, and one of the oldest active hockey clubs in the world. They’ve notched the most Stanley Cups despite a 28-year drought. Unsurprisingly, the team has seen more than a few controversies and upsets—as well as a few truly bizarre incidents.

Habs Ghosts Hijacked to Colorado

Patrick Roy is a legend. In addition to being named the NHL’s greatest goalie of all time and the only hockey player to nab three Conn Smythe awards in separate decades, he also brought home two Stanley Cups.

But there’s a legend which says that Roy took something from the arena when he left for the Avalanche in 1995 after an ‘infamous moment’ with Mario Tremblay: the friendly ghosts that haunted the stands. Apparently, the Montreal Forum was home to fanatical spirits that took to the rink to give the players extra luck and strength.

When Roy left, he packed the ghosts and took them to Colorado, where he went on to win two more Stanley Cups and put the Avalanche on the map—all while the Habs floundered. When Roy returned in 2021 to bury the hatchet with Tremblay, the Habs started winning—and went on to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Lightning.

Never Just a Jersey Number

The Habs seem to have finally found a replacement for Roy in Carey Price—and it all leads back to Price’s jersey number of 31. On May 31, 2021, the Habs were down 3-1 in a series against the Maple Leafs, who had taken 31 shots on goal. Then, three penalties were given and one power-play led to a goal. The team then won the game 3-1.

Price isn’t the first Hab to have a special relationship to his jersey number. Though Jesperi Kotkaniemi, number 15, had an up-and-down start to his career with the Habs before moving to the Hurricanes, he pulled out all the stops in a series against the Maple Leafs, during which the team were playing in front of fans for the first time in 15 months. At exactly 15:15 in overtime and taking the 15^th shot of the period during his 15^th minute of play, Kotkaniemi scored the game-winner.

What’s in a Name?

PK Subban was one of the Habs’ greatest assets—but there was an ongoing debate about the pronunciation of the Toronto-born star’s name. For English and French speakers, the abbreviation of PK is pronounced differently. Back in 2015, language groups advocated for a French pronunciation for broadcasters that were serving Francophone viewers.

After all, English broadcasters regularly mispronounced French names like Jean-Claude Tremblay (or just JC). Seven years later, it seems most broadcasting groups have stuck with a chosen pronunciation—not that Subban, currently on the New Jersey Devils, cared.

When asked by reporters from the Montreal Gazette how he felt about it in 2015, Subban said, “It sounds kind of sexy, actually. I like it.” He noted that he’d heard a French pronunciation used for his names on multiple occasions. Later on in the interview, he joked that if his name was going to be changed, “Just start calling me Denzel. Why not?”

Carey Price Receives Nomination For Masterton

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price has been honored with the team’s nomination for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

Every year, the award is presented “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.” One player from every team gets a nomination.

Price underwent knee surgery in July last offseason, just two weeks after the Habs fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final. In October, the 2015 Hart Trophy winner entered the NHL/NHLPA Player assistance program.

If he wins, Price will be the sixth Canadiens player to win the award. Claude Provost was the inaugural winner in 1968. Henri Richard (1975), Serge Savard (1979), Saku Koivu (2002) and Max Pacioretty (2012) are the other Habs players to have won the honors.

Though the Canadiens failed to end Canada’s Stanley Cup drought last year (29 years and counting), the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames will all give the country some hope this year. Having launched earlier this month, Ontario betting promotions are available for Canadians bettors now.

Customers can play online casinos or make bets through sportsbooks like BetMGM, BetRivers and bet365. They can also bet on futures such as the Stanley Cup winner. The Leafs and Flames are among the betting favorites at multiple major sportsbooks.

Price’s late-season return has been one of the few positives in a miserable season for Montreal. The Canadiens are guaranteed to finish dead last in the Atlantic Division by a wide margin, and they’ll be in the running for the first overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Price Will Get Knee Evaluated In New York

 Price is dealing with a knee, and it remains to be seen if he’ll return to the ice with the season winding down.

Per Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette, Price is listed as day-to-day and joined the team in New York this week. Price will undergo a medical evaluation relating to his surgically repaired knee.

The Canadiens will conclude their 2021-22 regular season against the Florida Panthers on Friday at the Bell Centre (7:00 p.m. EST).

Price, who turns 35 on Aug. 16, made his NHL debut on Apr. 15 in a home game against the New York Islanders. He turned aside 17 of 19 shots faced in a 3-0 defeat. Price also played on Apr. 19, Apr. 21 and Apr. 23.

Last year, Price agreed to go exposed in the Seattle Expansion Draft, but the Kraken ultimately decided not to select him. The franchise star has four years remaining on the eight-year, $84 million contract extension he signed in 2017.

Carey Price has many questions

At the Montreal Canadiens post-mortem after the season ended, Carey Price met the media and was quite open with the fact that he might have played his last game.

Carey Price s'adresse aux médias en direct du Complexe sportif Bell, pour le bilan de fin de saison.

Carey Price addresses the media from the Bell Sports Complex for his end of season media availability.#GoHabsGo https://t.co/BqVjJFDFcT

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 30, 2022

As Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette reports , Carey Price looking for answers as he ponders his future

Report: Martin St. Louis Will Retain Head Coach Position “If He Wants It”

The Canadiens saw their play improve drastically after Hockey Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis took over the bench boss duties midseason.

And according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, St. Louis will remain the head coach of the Canadiens if he so chooses.

“It’s his job if he wants it,” LeBrun wrote . “There’s no question GM Kent Hughes wants St. Louis back behind the bench. St. Louis has hinted that he probably will want to return but that he and Hughes would sit down after the season and discuss it.”

The Canadiens fired Dominique Ducharme following a difficult 8-30-7 start to the season. Ducharme’s firing took place almost an entire year before he was hired to replace Claude Julien in the 2020-21 season.

Canadian culture is filled with many interesting quirks, some of which include ice hockey and online casino gaming. And the Montreal Canadiens are a great representation of this culture.

The Canadian city of Montreal is well known for its love of sports events. In fact, it’s often considered to be North America’s number one host city for international events. Its ice hockey team of course, are world famous and patriots of the city are proud supporters. It’s not just physical sports that have become ingrained in Montreal culture however, it’s competition in general. Blackjack games are a regular hobby among local folk, with people often now choosing to play online on popular blackjack sites between sporting seasons to keep up the competitive buzz. In fact, their team is so popular that it has even made an appearance in the NHL All-Star Game 2022 blackjack skills contest, which is perfect for Vegas. The player who wins will be crowned “Puck Shark.”

That said, let’s talk about everyone’s favorite ice hockey team. Ah, the Montreal Canadiens, or “The Habs,” as we affectionately call them. What can you say? They’ve been around since 1909 and have seen it all – the good, the bad and the ugly. Is this one of their ugliest seasons so far?

The Montreal Canadiens have been playing professional ice hockey since 1909 and are one of the most iconic franchises in Canada. Fans have been following the team, watching their highs and lows since their inception. One of the oldest teams in the NHL, they have won 25 Stanley Cups in their history. The 2021-2022 season has brought many surprises from the Habs. Let’s look at some of their highlights so far.

Highlights for the Montreal Canadiens from 2021 to 2022

We are now halfway through the season and it’s time to look back at some of the key moments for the Montreal Canadiens thus far. We will cover some of the top events that made headlines and discuss what this means for the rest of the season.

Jake Allen and Justin Barron are done for the season

The Montreal Canadiens are going through some tough times this season. However, despite their troubles, there are still some bright spots for the team. Two key players, Jake Allen and Justin Barron, are out for the season due to injury. So, Jake (with a groin injury) and Justin (who suffered an ankle injury) are done for the year.

While it’s not surprising that they’ll be off the rink for the year, it is mildly disappointing. The loss of two of their core players will certainly be felt on the ice, but we know that these two exceptional individuals will continue to work hard off the ice and will be back better than ever next year.

However, on the plus side, it means that there is an opening on our goalie depth chart. We’ll be looking to fill that position with a rising star in the organization – someone who will provide us with more stability in the net.

Josh Anderson scores his 100th career goal

On and off the ice, we’ve seen a few interesting things from Josh Anderson. Anderson is showing he can be a power forward – a player who can score goals regularly and hit people hard when he does so. He might not have what it takes to play center on the power play, but he can play on a line next to players such as Jesperi Kotkaniemi or Mike McCarron, who are going to be able to handle any sort of physicality they see coming their way after being passed over for players like Alex Galchenyuk and Jonathan Drouin.

Josh Anderson scored his 100th career goal against the Winnipeg Jets in a game that ended in a 4–2 loss for the Montreal Canadiens. He scored a goal on two shots, blocked two shots and levied four hits. It took about eight seasons for Josh to reach the three-digit milestone. This was an important moment in his career as he joined a very exclusive list of players who have achieved such a feat while playing with the team. Check out the player stats here.

Joel Armia scores against his former team

Another highlight was when Joel Armia scored against his former team, the Winnipeg Jets, on Monday, April 11. He scored a goal on three shots in a game that ended in a 4–2 loss to the Jets. He spent three years with the Jets (2015–2018) before he joined the Canadiens.

Conclusion

The Montreal Canadiens are obviously having a rough time, with many of their players injured or just not pulling their weight. Sadly, they continue to hover around the bottom of their division, with a record of 20–42–11 (51 points).

We hope you’ve enjoyed this recap of the season so far. We shall see if the Canadiens have what it takes to make it to the top once again. Good luck for next season! Go, Habs. Go!

When it comes to ice hockey, wherever you are in the globe, the National Hockey League (NHL) is the undisputed top league. The NHL now has fans in every state as well as every country on the planet. With such a large following, it’s easy to see why the NHL is a favorite among sports bettors. The activity is fast-paced, and it may be profitable for a small group of sports bettors.

So, where should you start? As a beginner, it is a good idea to look at the various options available in terms of sportsbooks, as well as familiarize yourself with the main sports betting odds comparison sites. Beyond that, we’ve put together some tips that are essential for success.

Travel schedules

Travel schedules are vital in all sports, but in a physically demanding activity such as ice hockey, they become much more so. It’s a game in which your body is repeatedly pummeled, bruised and hammered. Consider the difference between playing two home games in a week against four away games in a week. Which side will be the most rested for the upcoming game?

You should keep an eye out for teams that you believe will be suffering from significant weariness, and check whether there is an option to bet against them. Remember that just because a team is fatigued or on a lengthy road trip does not always indicate they will lose. All it implies is that they will be less fresh, which will have an influence on their speed, power, concentration and overall performance.

You should also consider how far the teams will have to travel. You can guarantee that their sleep and healing will be hampered if they’re traveling long distances, and professional athletes or not, they are subject to the same stresses as everyone else.

Overvaluing statistics

Of course, you can’t overlook stats, but you should learn to be selective and analytical in the way that you use them. For a start, you should make sure that you get your numbers from a reliable source, such as one of the major media outlets, and even then, you should do occasional checks on their accuracy.

You should also focus on the stats that really matter. A lot of the data on TV that is thrown at fans is essentially useless, particularly trends statistics about how often a certain team has beaten another team on a particular day of the week. Ask yourself how useful, relevant and informative a stat is, and consider whether it is something that is obvious or something that may give you an edge.

Line matchups

Ice hockey is based around the concept of the line. A line is a selection of players who are on the ice at the same time. The lines can be adjusted at any time during a game and will logically be matched against the other team’s lines. So, to know how well a particular team will play, you will need to know how the lines will interact – with one another and with the other team.

You’re searching for line combinations that will lead to scoring chances. This kind of study is the gateway to enable you to go further into the team’s roster and identify circumstances where goals might be scored, which can give you an edge in the betting markets.

Looking for value

All of the other tips outlined here are important, but this is probably the most important of all. In fact, it is not so much a tip as a fundamental rule of successful betting. Essentially, the ability to recognize value bets is the key to long-term success. This sometimes means betting on NHL teams that you believe are more likely to lose than win, and not betting on teams that you think will win easily. The notion might be difficult to grasp at first, but once you understand, you will have opened the gateway to potential success.

To think of it another way, your win-loss record has nothing to do with sports betting or NHL betting success. Making a profit depends entirely on the return on your investment. Basically, almost all of your bets could be losers, yet you can still win a lot of money. Conversely, you might back a lot of winners and lose money. The key is that you are not looking for winners – you should be looking for situations in which the odds are in your favor. Once you bet according to this principle, you will be in a stronger position to succeed.

In the last five years, global eSports have become one of the hottest topics in digital entertainment and the future of global competitions. Today, eSports is poised to continue growing as an entertainment mainstay worldwide, especially as league formats, player rights and contracts, and team structures evolve.

Unsurprisingly, eSports has leaned on traditional sports to develop its infrastructure. While much of this relationship has been based on building out eSports rules and standards of operation, athletes and professional sports franchises have also invested time and money to develop promising teams.

For example, European football clubs have pivoted to eSports in leagues like FIFAe, which oversees football simulation competitions across the continent. For top clubs like the Premier League’s Manchester City and the Bundesliga’s RB Leipzig, hosting eSports teams help boost their visibility, as well as bring in extra profits from event winnings. 

The NHL is one of the latest leagues to capitalize on eSports—and the Habs aren’t falling behind. This past year, the Canadiens made two major decisions to incorporate eSports into the team’s brand. Are they the first of multiple forays into eSports? And what will further development in eSports look like for the Canadiens?

Habs Host the Winter eGames

Late last year, the Canadiens announced a brand new event: the Montreal Canadiens 2022 Winter eGames. The project was launched with Scotiabank, Coca-Cola, and Rival, which included more than $17,000 in prize winnings.

Unlike the FIFAe league mentioned above, the Habs competition included head-to-head battles in NHL 22, Madden 22, NBA 2K22, and Rocket League for both PlayStation and Xbox. Champions in each title (per console) walked away with Club-level tickets to the Habs, a signed practice jersey, gift card, and game giveaways.

The competition was hosted online through February. In addition to presenting the Habs as an eSports-friendly franchise, the idea was to create buzz between Habs fans, who are also eSports competitors. It’s the first event of this type to be hosted by any Canadian hockey franchise, which is critical for the Habs as they continue a much-needed rebuild.

Investing in OverActive

The Winter eGames is only the latest project from the Habs in terms of building out their eSports presence. Last April, the Canadiens announced a multi-million-dollar investment in OverActive Media. 

OverActive Media is an eSports organization that’s helped build out some of Canada’s most competitive teams, including MAD Lions, Toronto Defiant, and Toronto Ultra. The Toronto City Council recently approved plans to build a $500-million arena dedicated to eSports.

The move to invest in OverActive was led by president Geoff Molson. Along with new head coach Martin St. Louis, Molson is one of the most promising characters in the Canadiens franchise. His standpoint on joining the eSports boom will provide the Habs with crucial resources in the coming years, as experts believe eSports will continue to grow at a steady rate.

The Future with OverActive Media

Clearly, Molson’s push to become a part-owner of OverActive indicates a strong future between the Habs and eSports—and it’s not just from the Canadiens’ perspective. CEO of OverActive Media, Chris Overholt, has also targeted the Habs as a critical partnership. The team lends visibility to OverActive, and vice versa.

But the Habs won’t be alone in their partnership. Three top hockey stars have also invested in OverActive Media. First is Phil Kessel, right-wing for the Arizona Coyotes. Second is Carl Hagelin, left-wing for the Washington Capitals. Last is Mitch Marner, right-wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

The idea here is for OverActive Media to position itself as a virtual MLSE. MLSE, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, commands much of Toronto’s sports entertainment. The group owns the city’s NBA, MLS, NHL, CFL, AHL, and G-League sports teams, as well as Scotiabank Arena.

Overholt was once part of MLSE’s board, which many consider responsible for reinvigorating life into Toronto’s sports scene. Now, as CEO of OverActive Media, Overholt’s partnership with the Habs could help spur transformation in the franchise right as it positions itself for a full (and hopefully lasting) rebuild.

Hard to believe that only eight months ago, the Montreal Canadiens were in the Stanley Cup Finals, and today are seemed as bottom feeders in the NHL.  After a disastrous start to their 2021-22 season, the Canadiens find themselves as sellers at the 2022 NHL Trade deadline. 

According to Hockey bets teams like the defending Stanley Cup Champions Tampa Bay Lightning, and Western Conference leaders Colorado Avalanche, are odds on favorites  to win the Stanley Cup this season. 

Montreal, should they finish last during the 2021-22 season, will have the highest odds of landing the first overall pick at the upcoming 2022  NHL amateur draft.

Just prior to the trade deadline, Canadiens rookie GM Kent Hughes did, in his short tenure as GM, what former Habs GM Marc Bergevin was never able to do.  And that was to acquire not one, but two first round picks.  A 2022 pick for forward Tyler Toffoli.  And a 2023 first round pick for defenceman Ben Chiarot.

So all eyes were on Canadiens brain trust of President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton and GM Kent Hughes, on what other assets could the Canadiens receive for players on expiring contracts.  Which included Mathieu Perreault, Brett Kulak, Arturri Lehkonen, Chris Wideman.

In the end only Brett Kulak and Arturri Lehkonen were traded.  Not only did the Canadiens acquire Second round picks for each of these players for the next two drafts, but they also acquired some young prospects.  Both defenceman, in William Lagesson, and Justin Barron.  The Canadiens did complete a minor trade in trading veteran backup goalie Andrew Hammond for Nathan Schnarr.

Although many pundits believe that GM Hughes scored very well with acquiring a mix of promising young players, and draft picks, one this is certain, that next season looks just as painful as this season.

The Canadiens main problem is the Salary Cap.  There are just too many bad contracts on their books. 

The Canadiens have about $70M committed in contracts for 2022-23.  The salary cap for 2022-23 expected to be close to $85 million.  This doesn’t leave the Canadiens much flexibility.  And during the course of the off-season, NHL teams cannot exceed the salary by more than 10%.  All teams must be cap compliant by opening day.

Dubious Contracts

The Canadiens have at east 6 contracts that poses financial pain.  Starting with Shea Weber , who is on Long-Term Injury reserve and doesn’t look like he will ever play again.   Weber has 4 years remaining on his contract at a cap-hit of $7.857M.  According to GM Hughes, the Canadiens explored trading Weber’s contract, but it’s hard to do with 20 games left in the season.  Canadiens hope to get some Cap relief, hoping to trade his contract during the upcoming off-season.

Carey Price, who has not played a game yet this season due being on the player assistance program, and then recovering from knee surgery, his cap hit is $10.5M.  He too has four years remaining.  And hard to say how much his body can endure.

Jeff Petry has made it known that due to family reasons, he wants out.  And his salary too is problematic.  At $6.25M for the next three seasons, might be too rich for some clubs.

Brendan Gallagher’s has five years remaining on his contract.  With a cap-hit of $6.5M, this might be one of the worst contracts as his real salary increases in years 3 and 4 of his six-year deal.  If the Canadiens are to find any taker for his services, the Canadiens will be forced to take on 50% salary retention.

Joel Armia’s contract might seem low in comparison to the above, but for $3.4M, many teams can find cheaper alternatives.  

Jonathan Drouin, who has been injury prone these last two seasons, has only one year left on his contract at $5.5M.  Canadiens will most likely buy him out after this season, or trade him at net season’s trade deadline, or simply not tender a new contract after the 2022-23 season.

So expect 2022-23 to be another season of turnover, as this reset or rebuild will last for at least two more seasons.  As they Canadiens need to focus on shedding bad contracts in the off-season.  With hopes the Canadiens don’t have to wait another 24 years before they return to the Stanley Cup Finals.

To different people, winter can mean different things. One view of winter is that it is a time for staying in-doors, drinking hot coco, and roasting chestnuts. While this might be the predominant view of winter, still there are people who look forward to winter every year, because to them, it is the season when they can be active in some of their favorite sports. Winter sports are some of the most popular and beloved sports in the world, and in this article we are going to take a look at the most popular ones.

Ice hockey

Ice hockey is one of the most popular winter sports in the world, but especially in countries associated with cold winters. Places like Canada, The United States, Russia, Finland, and the Scandinavian countries is where ice hockey thrives.

The sport was originally developed in Canada, where it is still hugely popular today. In fact, ice hockey is Canada’s national sport, and is played by a huge percentage of Canadians from a very young age. Some of the most popular ice hockey teams come from Canada, and the Canadian national team is considered one of the “Big Six” of ice hockey.

Ice hockey is also hugely popular on the betting scene. While not as popular as its field counterpart, ice hockey is still covered widely and thoroughly on online betting sites like the ones on betstation.com. The ice hockey betting scene is especially huge in Canada, the United States, and Russia.

Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding

Skiing, as we know it today, came about in Scandinavia. The sport was, once upon a time, used as transport, however, today is much more widely considered a recreational activity, or a competitive sport. It is considered an Olympic sport, and is one of numerous skiing events in the winter Olympics.

A more recent derivative of alpine skiing, is alpine snowboarding. In the 21^st century, snowboarding has gained a massive amount of popularity among casual alpinists and pro-skiers alike. One of the main reasons for the sport’s increase in popularity in the current century is that it was added to the Winter Olympics in 1998, where it remains today.

Figure Skating

Figure skating is the most popular winter sport around the world. It holds the distinction of being the first winter sport to be included in the Olympics, where it has been since 1908, over a hundred years ago.

Ice skating has been around for centuries, however, the first recorded mention of skating comes to us from 1772, written by Robert Jones. Figure skating in the form that we know it today has its origins in the 19^th century.

In the Olympics, figure skating is separated into four individual disciplines. Women’s singles, men’s singles, pair skating and ice dance. In 2014, a team event combining all four disciplines was included into the Winter Olympics.

Honorable Mentions

Apart from the ones mentioned in this list, there are quite a number of other winter sports enjoyed the world over. Ski jumping and Nordic skiing are two variants of skiing that are quite popular, though not on the level of Alpine skiing.

The Canadiens just missed out on the Stanley Cup last season but are one of the worst teams in the league this year. What has gone wrong with the Habs?

What Has Happened to the Canadiens This Season? And Can They Recover?

Just seven months on from being beaten in the Stanley Cup finals by the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Montreal Canadiens now sit at the very bottom of the NHL with the worst record in the entire league.

 There are not many hockey fans – Habs or otherwise – that would bet on the Canadiens doing anything of note this season. But can they recover to save some face at least, before the end of the regular season? And what exactly has gone wrong in Montreal?

 Stanley Cup Finals Defeat

It could be argued that everything started going wrong for the Habs after game one of the Stanley Cup finals last season. Tampa Bay steamrolled the Canadiens 5-1 that night and set the tone for the rest of the series. A 3-2 win in game four only prolonged the misery and put off the inevitable temporarily.

Even Montreal fans must realize that making it to the finals in the first place was something of a fluke. There was a perfect storm of factors that could have only come together last season, including an all-Canadian division to begin with. The Canadiens had luck on their side last season – and it has disappeared this year.

 Player Absences and Injuries

Part of the bad luck has been who the Habs have been able to put out on the ice. The offseason was a disaster for Montreal, reacting to making the finals by missing out on key targets for the year as well as losing players such as Philip Danault to free agency.

Shea Weber might not ever play again after missing the entire season through injury and the return of netminder Carey Price still seems a long way off. He was still recovering from offseason surgery when he entered a 30-day players’ assistance program. There seems to be no rush to get him back on the ice. He may be a controversial figure, but he was a major reason why the Canadiens went so far in the playoffs last year.

Failure a Long Time Coming

 There should also be a recognition that last season’s performance and record should be seen as an overachievement – an anomaly really. The Habs are the most successful organization in the NHL but the glory days are firmly in the past. Before last year Montreal had not made it to the Conference finals since 2014 – and didn’t even make the postseason in three of the years since.

 A failure to develop young talent has been a major problem for Montreal for quite a while now. Former players have not been involved as they once were – and the Canadiens have not been able to attract the top free agents like they once could. The fans are not expecting back-to-back titles like the old days. But players with spirit and belief, backed by a decisive front office would help things change.

 Hopes for the Future

 So, is there any hope for the future? There would seem to be precious little of it to go around at the moment. But letting Marc Bergevin go at the end of November was a bold move. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes can now stamp their own authority on the franchise and attempt to make it competitive again in the next few years.

We may well see a lot more departures from Montreal at the end of this season – and that will be welcomed if the draft goes to plan. Embracing the tank may not be acceptable for Habs fans but it could allow the Canadiens to come out the other side. A focus on youth development and positive trades might make next season a better prospect. Let’s face it, it couldn’t get much worse.

As ardent fans of the game in general, and Montreal Canadiens fans in particular, the great memories that the team has gifted us by their game, fills our heart with charitable nostalgia. It has not started now, the Habs have been creating some wonderful historical moments for over a century now, with their enigmatic blue, white, and red jersey. So, in this article, you will love to take you on a joyous ride on the most honourable moments that we had in the past and have aged like fine wine in our hearts. With the ongoing season hampered by Covid, we guess this is going to be the best time to through the memory lane. 

The Montreal Forum Final Game 

Montreal Forum hosted their first game on 29th November 1924. For more than seven decades, this arena has granted the fans some chilling matches, packed with memories of joy and heartbreaks. The last match was played in this arena on March 11th, 1996. People still remember the outrageous 4-1 against Dallas Stars, and the after match memorable ceremony. The best moment was the standing salute that the Canadiens fans bestowed upon their remarkable heroes for the final time in Montreal Forum. 

5 Times Consecutive Stanley Cup Champions 

This is something that the Montreal Canadiens fans would be seriously proud of. In 1960, the outstanding team managed to win the Stanley Cup five times back to back. In the final, they met the Toronto Maple Leafs but thrashed them by gaining a whopping 4-0 win. The dominance of the Habs ended next year as Chicago won the title. This record shows what a great force Montreal was at the time. Needless to mention that the Canadiens are still the best team to bet for in the ongoing tournament. You can check its odds at https://www.oddsshark.com/nhl/odds and place your bets on next season games.

Fifty in Fifty 

The Hubs legend Maurice Richard did something unbelievable in the 1944-45 season. He scored fifty individual goals in the 50th match of the tournament which is a milestone achievement. The match was against the Boston Bruins. All through the game, both the teams played very defensive hockey but at the last 3 odd minutes, the maestro found his way to the climacteric goal. That achievement was unbreakable for almost four decades as later, the Rocket surpassed it. 

The Remarkable Red Army Match 

It was the time when the Red Army teams (USSR) came to America when the cold war was at its very peak;  December 31, 1975.  In what is often referred to as one of the greatest games of all time.

The Soviet team was packed with some great players like Vladislav Tretiak, Boris Mikhailov, and Valeri Kharlamov. 

The match featured some exquisite hockey as both teams fought to a 3-3 tie. This marks the dynasty of the Montreal in the hockey arena. They are still one of the best sides around, and worth your bet on them on the best betting sites. 

Koivu Beat Cancer and Came Back 

On 5th September 2001, Saku Koivu, the great Montreal player got diagnosed with Leukemia. At first, the fans were in doubt whether their favourite player could return to the ice again and play in the Canadiens jersey. 

But, with everybody’s prayers on Koivu’s side, he beat cancer within a year and came back even stronger than he was before. After beating dangerous cancer, he was seen in the Montreal’s lineup again on 9th April 2002.