Tag Archives: Montreal Canadiens

The Closest the Montreal Canadiens Have Come To Winning the Stanley Cup since 1993

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The Montreal Canadiens are the NHL’s most storied franchise, with a whopping 24 Stanley Cups to their name. In fact, such has been their dominance over the years, the Quebec-based outfit has won the championship 11 times more than the second-placed Toronto Maple Leafs and over twice as many times as the USA’s best-ranked team, the Detroit Red Wings. However, over the last few campaigns, they have become a shadow of their former selves.

Montreal Canadiens 1993 Stanley Cup

Last term, the Bell Centre side managed just 30 wins all season, leaving them planted at the foot of the Atlantic Division for the third straight season and with the fourth-worst record in the entire league. The upcoming close season will be integral to any future successes that the Canadiens may have and they are currently scheduled to be at number five on the 2024 draft board. But while they are looking ahead to hopefully bringing in someone like Trevor Connelly or Sam Dickinson, there’s the small matter of the 2024 NHL Playoffs.

The action has reached its latter stages and several conference semifinals could go either way. The Florida Panthers currently hold a slender one-game lead over the Boston Celtics, while the president’s trophy-winning New York Rangers hold the same lead over the Carolina Hurricanes. Meanwhile, the all-Canadian affair between the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers is currently locked at two games apiece. The latest NHL odds to win the Stanley Cup make the aforementioned Panthers the +230 favourites to go all this way this year, righting the wrongs of last term, when they were beaten in the finals by the Vegas Golden Knights.

For the Canadiens, however, they can only look on with envy. Since their last championship win in 1993, the team has encountered numerous hurdles on their quest for another title, coming tantalizingly close but ultimately falling short of the prize. Here is the closest they have come in the last three decades.

A Surprising Conference Finals Run

14 years ago, they entered the playoffs as an eighth-seeded rank outsider, but despite that, they managed to defy their lowly chance at victory to make an unexpected and exhilarating run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The team showcased remarkable resilience, first overturning a 3-1 series deficit against the president’s trophy-winning Washington Capitals in the opening round, and then defeating the defending champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in a hard-fought seven-game series in the second round.

Once those two heavy hitters – spearheaded by Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby respectively – had been swept aside, the draw seemingly opened up and championship glory was a very real possibility. But just when they were starting to dream of the trophy, their campaign came to a screeching halt against the Philadelphia Flyers in the Conference Finals.

The Wells Fargo Center outfit was the seventh seed heading into the postseason, just one rank higher than the Habs. As such, many thought that the contest was a genuine 50/50 that could go either way, unlike the Canadiens’ two previous series, which they were heavy underdogs in. However, once Philly won the first two games by a combined score of nine goals to nil, the writing was on the wall. They ultimately triumphed in five, while Montreal had to go back to the drawing board after yet another playoff heartache.

Heartbreak Against the New York Rangers

Four years later, the Canadiens once again found themselves deep in the playoffs. The 2013/14 season had its share of dramatic moments, including a thrilling second-round victory over the Boston Bruins, a team that had finished the regular season at the top of the league standings. But The Habs’ triumph over them in seven games set the stage for an Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the New York Rangers.

The series was marred by a significant setback for the Canadiens when star goaltender Carey Price was injured in the opening game following a collision. Without their marquee netminder, they battled fiercely but ultimately succumbed to the Big Apple outfit in six games. This loss was a bitter pill to swallow, particularly because the Canadiens had shown they could compete with the best, only to be undone by an untimely injury to their most crucial player.

A Long-Awaited Return to the Stanley Cup Finals

Perhaps the closest the Canadiens have come to recapturing their former glory since 1993 occurred during the pandemic-impacted 2020/21 NHL season. Entering the playoffs as the fourth seed in the North Division, few predicted their remarkable run to the Stanley Cup Finals. The team overcame their rival Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, rallying from a 3-1 series deficit. They then swept the Winnipeg Jets in the second round before defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games to claim the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as Western Conference champions – a temporary realignment due to global events.

The Stanley Cup Finals pitted the Habs against the defending champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite a spirited effort, including a thrilling overtime victory in Game 4 to avoid a sweep, the Canadiens ultimately fell in five. This run was highlighted by the emergence of young stars like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, as well as the veteran leadership of Price, who managed to put his injury woes of six years prior firmly in the rearview mirror with a bucketload of stellar displays.

The Montreal Canadiens End Up With No.5 Overall Pick at 2024 NHL Draft Lottery

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NHL 2024 draft

The Montreal Canadiens have the No. 5 overall pick at the NHL draft lottery. The Habs came in the 5th spot, behind the Columbus Blue Jackets at No.4. According to the official results, this year’s Lottery Draft came in quite sequentially, as the bottom five teams aiming for a chance of winning the lottery would finish in order, counting from the bottom.

San Jose Sharks Gets 1st Overall Pick

Of the 16 teams, the San Jose Sharks picked up the No.1 spot making them the first overall for the first time in their history. The San Jose Sharks were followed closely by the Chicago Blackhawks who emerged as the second team participating in the draft. 

The Canadiens will head into the 2024 NHL Upper Deck Draft in 5th place. Recall that the Habs finished bottom of the Atlantic Division’s table, consequently going into the lottery with an 8.5 percent chance of getting picked at No. 1. 

Following the Draft, several reactions from the NHL media and managing staff at the Canadiens team have circulated the press. The Habs now have their eyes set on the No. 5 top-rated prospect, Cayden Lindstrom. The 18-year-old from Chetwynd, BC was quite impressive in the concluded 23/24 regular season.

Canadiens general manager, speaking in a video conference after the lottery described Macklin Celebrini’s prospect as “franchise-altering”. “But, certainly, when you’re watching — this is the third time through now for me doing it — and you had a chance to draft Connor Bedard (who went to the Blackhawks) last year and Macklin Celebrini (this year) … so they’re franchise-altering hockey players”, Mr Hughes narrated in full.

Recall that The Canadiens went for Juraj Slafkovsky, the Slovakian forward, to pick up the No.1 spot in 2022. When asked if the team needed the No. 1 pick to go after top targets, Hughes added, 

“You obviously hope to win,” But the reality is the percentages of the lottery are such that the most likely outcome is that we pick sixth. So, in that regard, we’ve had good luck with the lottery.” 

Several media sources following up on Hughes’s comments after the Tuesday Draft Lottery, have described them as honest reviews. Speaking of reviews, Canada’s online casino scene is known for its regular and honest reviews of casino sites from experts.

These reviews have also been a major contributing factor to rapid growth of the regional casino endeavor. 

Fun Fact: Thommie Bergman was the first European player ever drafted in the NHL. The Detroit Red Wings selected him in 1964.

For The Best Chance A Better Offense is Needed

Jim Murray: “Hockey is murder on ice.” 

The Canadiens have fallen short of quality in the concluded season. However, their offensive woes stand out. The Habs only managed to rank 26th in the NHL offense ratings this season, even after getting 48 goals from their defense stars. In the light of their No. 5 overall pick, The Canadiens could have limited forward options, as the likes of Celebrini and Ivan Demidov at 1st and 2nd spots. 

However, fortune could yet smile on the Habs, as they are well open to high-scoring center Cayden Lindstrom of the Medicine Hart Tigers at No. 5. As reported by The Montreal Gazette, Canadiens’ GM once again had a few words to say about their chance of winning after learning the team will be getting the No. 5 this time around. 

“I think what I’ve said is all things equal we would draft a forward, and I think that remains the case,” Hughes reassured. 

Canadiens’ Previous Picks. 

Jim McKenny – Ice hockey veteran and broadcaster. “Half the game is mental; the other half is being mental.” 

The Canadiens NHL lottery pick history is apparently a pretty interesting one, since the process took hold in 1963. The Habs have picked up the No. 1 pick a couple of times in its history, including the first round of 1963 edition, as well as that of 1971. According to some trusted NHL statistics sources, here are some of the most prominent options the Habs have gotten from their No. 1 picks this far; 

  • Doug Wickenheiser
  • Guy Lafleur
  • Juraj Slafkovsky

Asides it’s occasional No. 1 picks, The Canadiens’s lottery history doesn’t present so many highlights.

Fun Fact: The “Russian Factor” is a term used in NHL Drafts to describe the perceived risk of drafting Russian players due to concerns about their willingness and ability to play in North America. 

Latest News: When is The 2024 NHL Draft Lottery

Following the Lottery and in anticipation, lots of NHL prospects and fans alike would mostly likely beg the question, when is the NHL draft lottery in 2024, in anticipation. This wait for answers has long since been over, NHL has released the details for this year’s Lottery Draft. 

The event shall be hosted at the sphere in Las Vegas, from June 28th to 29th, following the completion of the primary lottery draft in May. 

Final words 2024 NHL Draft Order

In the end, The Montreal Canadiens seems to be pretty satisfied with their No. 5 pick, after finishing just behind the Columbus Blue Jackets at No. 4 and the Anaheim Ducks at No. 3. Consequently, the Habs are now open to a possible center talent selection, in the 6-foot, 210-pound Cayden Lindstrom, who has been drawn at No. 5 prospect, from several authorities in the NHL.

Why has it Been so Long Since the Montreal Canadiens Last Won a Stanley Cup?

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For long-serving fans of the Montreal Canadiens, the past three decades have been marked by a series of frustrations and disappointments. This storied NHL franchise has failed to capture hockey’s ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup, since the 1992-93 season.

Once the most dominant team in the NHL, the Canadiens are now trophy-less for 32 seasons. This is in stark contrast to their illustrious history of winning 24 Stanley Cups and divisional championships apiece. It’s gotten to the point that an entire generation of Canadiens fans have never tasted the sweet success of Stanley Cup glory.

It must be galling for Canadiens fans once again this season, as they sit and watch fierce rivals, Toronto Maple Leafs, embark on their postseason playoff bracket. However, the latest NHL odds suggest that Toronto could be dumped out in the first round as opponents, Boston Bruins, are considered the current favourites.

The Canadiens were previously talked about in the same breath as other iconic North American sports teams like the New York Yankees and the Boston Celtics, such was their dominance and competitive edge. Having been such an NHL powerhouse throughout the 20th century, what’s gone wrong for the Montreal Canadiens since the turn of the new millennium?

The team’s hierarchy has never recovered its draft skill

In the 1980s, the Montreal Canadiens were revered throughout the entire NHL for the way they did business. They leant heavily on the trading smarts of Sam Pollock, the former general manager of the Canadiens, who was often able to find a diamond in the rough. It’s hard to argue that Montreal has lacked Pollock’s innate ability to pluck high draft picks ever since.

Three of Pollock’s selections in the 1987 NHL Draft – Eric Desjardins, Mathieu Schneider and John LeClair – stuck around to help the Canadiens lift their last Stanley Cup in 1992/93. It’s quite telling that no player has been inducted into the Canadiens’ Hall of Fame since 1993.

The “Ronald Corey factor”

If you speak with any long-suffering Canadiens fan, you’ll find that they often state the 17-year era of Ronald Corey as president was the moment the franchise lost its way. Corey has often been criticized by fans for the way in which he led the team, prioritizing commercial decisions over talent-based decisions for the roster. In doing so, many fans believe Corey’s reign encouraged a poisonous working environment to ensue, which was unlikely to be conducive to success on the rink. There was a sigh of relief all around when Corey resigned in 1999, to be replaced by Pierre Boivin.

Has there been a sense of entitlement and complacency that’s crept into the team’s mindset? Quite possibly. All of which has led to a lack of urgency and accountability on the ice.

Incomparable rosters

One of the main impacts of the franchise’s poor drafts is the weakening of the Canadiens’ roster. There’s been a general lack of elite talent and depth for coaches to call upon. Of course, the team has always enjoyed standout players, including the likes of goaltender, Carey Price, and defenseman, Shea Weber, but they’ve often lacked the star power and depth necessary to compete with the top teams in the NHL.

An increasingly competitive NHL landscape

It’s no secret that the NHL has become increasingly competitive in the last couple of decades. Parity among teams makes it difficult for any franchise to develop and maintain a dynasty like the one Montreal established in the 20th century.

The rise of salary cap regulations has levelled the playing field, enabling smaller-market teams to compete with their more financially powerful counterparts. All of which has made it harder for the Canadiens to re-establish themselves as a credible force.

Last but by no means least, the passionate fan base of the Canadiens can also weigh heavily on the team. Despite being a source of unwavering support through the years, there is often immense pressure and expectation for the team to succeed. There are two generations of Canadiens fans who are used to seeing their team routinely lift major trophies, after all.

Managing these external pressures and maintaining focus will always be the number-one goal for any Montreal roster keen to write their own chapter in this franchise’s storied legacy.

On Thin Ice: The Impact of Injuries on Montreal Canadiens’ Upcoming Games

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The Montreal Canadiens injury situation is pretty ugly right now. Losing Christian Dvorak for the whole season is a big blow – he was starting to come into his own as a two-way center. To make matters worse, there are two more centers also injured. Plus, Goalie Carey Price being sidelined puts more pressure on the goalies remaining in the team.

The Current Long-Term Injury List Isn’t Pretty

Currently, 3 key players are out for the remainder of the season. Worst still, the Montreal Canadiens have had a bad run of injuries with 3 Centers out.

This is a huge blow to the Canadiens playoff. Finishing in the top 3 from the team’s current 6th position will be tough. The team is 9 points off 3rd place Canadian rivals the Tronto Maple Leafs, who have played 1 less game. A win for the Leafs would create an 11-point gap.

Long-Term Injuries – Players out for the remainder of the season

  • Christian Dvorak: The Center is out until September due to a pectoral injury.
  • Carey Price: The Goaltender is also out for the rest of the season, as he’s not expected back until July.
  • Kirby Dach: The Center is out until October with a knee injury and will also miss the rest of the season.

Is there still hope with the return of Pearson, Wideman, and Newhook?

There is some light at the end of the tunnel. The return of Defenseman Wideman will strengthen the Montreal defence, which has been a resal problem. Plus, the threat of Pearson coming in from the left is back on the cards in January. On top of this, at least 1 Centre will be back in the mix, adding to the team’s offence threat, something the team has been unsurprisingly lacking with 3 Centers out for so long.

  • Tanner Pearson: The Left Winger is out but expected back this month (January).
  • Chris Wideman: The Defenseman is out with a back injury but is expected to return in February.
  • Alex Newhook: The Center is expected to return from his ankle injury in mid-February, but there are a lot of games between now and then. His return may be too late for a season revival.

Younger Players Filling the Gaps Isn’t Enough

Some younger and less experienced talent in the team has a tough time since the team has 6 key players out. They have been called up to fill gaps, but it is clear they have some development before replacing talented and experienced players like Dvorak, Dach and Price.

Lack of Chemistry

The other problem is with such a large number of players out, we’ve been seeing a lack of chemistry. Experienced players tend to lead the team and ruffle the opponent’s feathers. Yet, we are not seeing anyone stand up and take responsibility to fill in for the disastrous injury list the Montreal Canadiens have suffered.

Widening NHL Odds to Reach Playoffs

Combined with the lack of chemistry, injuries, and mounting losses, the team’s NHL odds for playoff qualification have dropped dramatically. With stats showing that the team has the 4th most shots against per game in the league and the sixth lowest shots ratio, the NHL odds for reaching the playoffs have grown longer. Canadian sports betting fans may see value in the widening betting odds, especially with the return of a Centre, Left-Winger, and Defenseman, which in theory, should help improve both stats.

Maybe Next Season?

Undoubtedly, younger and less experienced players are getting their chance maybe earlier than they usually would. Although opponents are taking advantage of the team’s weaker players, regular gameplay they may not have otherwise had without being hit by injuries will certainly help their development. It could be that next season, we’ll see a huge overall improvement across the team, giving them more depth for the 2024/25 season. Yet, a series of losses could also have the reverse effect.

Risk of Further Injuries Kill Off the Season

The healthy players left on the roster have a mountain of responsibility on their shoulders if this team wants to stay in the playoff hunt. Guys playing bigger roles than expected can often overdo it and wind up injured, too, which is a real risk.

The Key to Playoff Success is the Return of Pearson, Wideman, and Newhook

The return of Pearson, Wideman, and Newhook could make all the difference as long as the rest of the team can avoid more hits to their depth chart. And it’s hard not to wonder about the mindset in that locker room lately. Morale has got to be low with all the losses piling up and the injury bug running rampant.

If the playoffs start fading out of view past this mid-season period with key players out, there is no doubt this will begin to sap motivation.

The Canadiens may be forced into some trades to sure up their lineup. But it’s tricky to make beneficial deals from a position of weakness when injuries are already forcing your hand.

3 Ways to Enhance Your Hockey Watching Experience

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In recent years, hockey has enjoyed a significant spike in popularity across the globe. In fact, a recent survey suggests that the NHL is as popular as it ever has been in its 100-year history. While many sports sell themselves on their live spectator experience, you could argue that this is more true of hockey than many other popular enterprises. With close crowd proximity, a guaranteed ruckus and an electric atmosphere, there really is no other sport like hockey. That being said, watching your favorite NHL team on TV can be a bit of a drag in comparison. To that end, we’ve put together a quick list of things you can do in order to improve your overall hockey experience from the comfort of your own home. 

Quick Snacks and Nibbles

No sporting experience is complete without something to munch on. When you’re at the game itself, this is a given, especially with sellers patrolling the venue at every available opportunity. However, it can be easy to forget to stock up on snacks when watching the big game from your armchair. Instead of the usual chips, garlic bread or French fries, why not try something a little more adventurous such as jalapenos stuffed with bacon, sausage and cheese or kielbasa wedges? One of the benefits of staying home to watch sports is that you’re not held back by what’s on offer and can mix it up whenever you feel like it. 

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Online Sports Betting

Back in the day (whenever that was), the majority of sports betting was confined to the NFL, NBA and sometimes, the occasional game of baseball. Since then, online betting has come a long way and the sheer volume of available NHL markets (or indeed, any other hockey league on the planet) means that you’ll be able to place a wager on almost anything and everything Habs related. In addition to this, when you start to delve into the world of online sports betting, there are a number of bonuses and special offers available on numerous sportsbooks. Whether it’s a deposit bonus or a free bet, there’s bound to be something which will help you on your way to enhancing your hockey viewing experience.

Turn It into a Party

OK, we are aware that this one may not be to everyone’s liking. Some people like to be alone when they’re watching their team (especially with the expletives that follow a loss) but if you’re a fan of “the more, the merrier” mantra, inviting a few friends over can be a good idea. This is especially true if the game turns out to be a real snoozefest (think of the Flyers/Lightning 2011) and who knows, you may end up going out for a few beers afterwards.

Hockey Is THE Live Spectator Sport

In our opinion, nothing beats being at the Bell Centre (or Centre Ball if that’s how you roll) and watching the Habs push for the playoffs in real time. However, if for some reason you can’t make it to the stadium then watching from the comfort of your own home is undoubtedly the next best thing. As long as you stock up on snacks and surround yourself with good company, you’re sure to have a good time. Unless we lose.