NHL Power Rankings Week One: Capitals, Lightning, Predators, And Ducks Are Favorites

Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Power Rankings: #7 – Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are a team that contended for a Stanley Cup last season thanks to a sensational performance by Carey Price. They’ll need their other players to step up to the plate if they want to bring another Stanley Cup to Montreal.

STRENGTHS: Price is going to determine how far the Canadiens go this season. He has set the bar at an incredibly high level for himself. He’s got to reach it (and likely surpass it) to give Montreal their best chance of winning. Welcome to the world of being an elite player, Mr. Price.

Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk are two incredibly talented forwards. Galchenyuk could be on the verge of a breakout season while Pacioretty is one of the best young goal scorers in the NHL. Alexander Semin should give the Canadiens more scoring depth. That’s something that they lacked last season.

P.K. Subban leads their blue line. Subban could be even more valuable to his team than Price.

WEAKNESSES: The Habs were an awful possession team last season. That forced them to rely way too heavily on Price and caused them to had issues scoring goals. That’s something that must change this season because relying heavily on your goalie is not an efficient way to win games. Teams like the Capitals can get away with it because they can score. Montreal can’t.

OUTLOOK: Barring an injury to Carey Price, Montreal will once again be in the playoffs.

Next: #6