How the Canadiens win: The Canadiens aren’t big, but they’re fast and dangerous. And when they use that speed to get to pucks first and win possession battles, they force their opponents to chase them. A renewed commitment to team defense has Montreal allowing among the fewest shots in the league.
Round 1: Habs vs Sens (Sens win series 4-1) Game 1 MTL 2 OTT 4 *if necessary. All times Eastern |
How the Senators win: That’s a really good question. How exactly are these guys doing it? Well, it starts with out-of-this-world goaltending regardless of who’s wearing the pads in any given game. Then it branches out from there to a team that plays with such discipline and is on the puck so much that it can withstand the loss of its three best players for an extended period and remarkably remain in the playoff race.
How the Canadiens lose: Much of the Canadiens’ success has come from paying attention to details and playing a disciplined system that suffocates their opponents. When they stray from it even a little and lag in their work ethic, the way they did immediately after they secured a playoff spot, they fall apart. And when things blow up for this team, they blow up real good.
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How the Senators lose: By not scoring goals – not enough of them and not at crucial moments. In their first 43 games, the Sens played 25 one-goal affairs. They won 10 and lost 15, six in overtime or a shootout. They have to work so hard to create offense that it often leaves them with little left to give at the end of close games.
Canadiens goaltending: Most believe Price will be just fine for the playoffs, but he’s the little boy with the curl. When he’s good, he’s really good and when he’s bad, well…If Price falters, the Canadiens have the comfort of knowing Peter Budaj has been excellent in relief.
Senators goaltending: In a word: outstanding. Through mid-April, the Senators were the third-worst team in the league in shots allowed per game with 32.3, but their GAA of 2.07 was second-best.
Canadiens question mark: Which Carey Price will show up: the steady, unflappable and technically perfect goalie who has emerged as the favorite for Canada’s Olympic team in 2014 or the one who looked porous in April?
Senators question mark: How can the Senators do any damage in the playoffs with one player in the top 100 in NHL scoring? That player is Cory Conacher, who had the majority of his points with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Canadiens top three fantasy players: P.K. Subban, Max Pacioretty, Michael Ryder
Senators top three fantasy players: Erik Karlsson, Milan Michalek, Kyle Turris
Odds to win the Cup: Canadiens: 18-1, Senators: 60-1
THE EDGE GOES TO… | |||||
TEAM | FORWARDS | DEFENSE | GOALTENDING | SPECIAL TEAMS | COACHING |
| Canadiens | X |
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| Senators |
| X | X | X | X |
Winner and why: The Canadiens won four more games than did Ottawa this year, but the Senators enter the playoffs a much hotter team than the Habs. With Montreal starter Carey Price struggling to regain his early-season form, Ottawa looks even better by comparison: both veteran Craig Anderson and backup Robin Lehner have been excellent. And the return of defenseman Erik Karlsson is a huge boost to Ottawa’s fortunes. The Sens are resilient, well-coached and are led by a number of grizzled veterans. If any No. 7 team is primed to upset, it’s Ottawa. Senators in 7.
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