What Went Wrong: Tabernac

If there's one thing I've seen from the Montréal Canadiens for the last 16 years, it's that they do have a flair for the dramatic.

The Canadiens have made quite a few long runs in recent years. I still remember 2010, when they took down the Presidents' Trophy winning Capitals in seven games, and went all the way to the Eastern Conference Final. Four years later, Les Habitants made another run to the Final Four, with upset series wins over the Lightning and Bruins. And who can forget 2021? That magical run during the second of the NHL's two COVID-affected seasons, where a gritty, yet overlooked Habs squad made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.

This year was more of the same from the Canadiens. They were coming off a surprise playoff appearance a year prior, but this year was different. They were stronger, they were built different. Third place in the Atlantic, setting up a 2021 Cup Final rematch against the Lightning. This time, they win it. Seven games, three wins in Tampa, and winning Game Seven despite having nine shots on goal (more on that later). Next up: the Sabres. Seven games again. Three wins in Buffalo, including Game Seven in overtime.

In the Eastern Conference Final, it was the Carolina Hurricanes, who entered the Final Four unbeaten. The Habs changed that and knocked around Frederik Andersen. Six goals in Game One. Habs were in the drivers' seat.

Until they weren't.

The Canadiens lost Game Two in overtime, but they still had home ice in the next two. Boy, did they misuse it. Lost in OT in Game Three, shutout in Game Four, and in Game Five back in Raleigh--crushed. And you know what did them in? They were not shooting the puck! I mentioned Game Seven against TB. Only nine shots on goal, yet they won. Here's the problem: they expected to that again. They were looking to steal games and not shoot as much. That only works once in a blue moon! You have to shoot the puck! You can't get outshot 20-4 in the third period and expect to win!

There were a lot of impressive numbers from this Canadiens squad. Nick Suzuki (4G/12A) and Lane Hutson (3G/13A) were tied for the points lead with 16. Cole Caufield, who finished second in the league in goals with 51, had 13 points (6G/7A). Juraj Slafkovsky had a dozen points (six of each). But what if I told you that none of the usual suspects were the goals leaders during this run. The very player who led the team in goals for the Habs? None other than Alex Newhook--2022 Cup Champion Alex Newhook. Newhook had 10 points, but seven of them went in the net. That includes not one, but both series clinchers--Game Seven series clinchers!

A very fun and amazing run by the Canadiens, but unfortunately, it comes to a very bad end. Just as the Avalanche's elimination extends the Presidents' Trophy's Cup drought for another year, Canada's Cup drought continues on with the elimination of notre grand frere (our big brother). It's now at 33 years; 1993 remains the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup. However, after this run, I now think that the Canadiens are Canada's best hope of ending that drought. They have a hell of a good crop of players, and I can see them making a lot of noise next season and beyond. The Canadiens proved that last year was not a fluke; they are legit. The expectations are real now, and it'll be very interesting to see if Les Habitants can pull it off.