As is often the case with players acquired in at the top of the draft, Jesperi Kotkaniemi should be playing in Montreal this upcoming season. From a development standpoint and where the team is pegged to be in the standings, it’s the right move to make.
Despite the potential distractions heading into the 2018-19 season, Max Pacioretty should be able to get back to the top goal-scoring form that he has provided for the Habs for several years.
As more and more fans start to focus on the draft, Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s name is continually associated with the Canadiens as he may represent the long-awaited top-line centre the Habs have desired for over two decades.
Despite an acceptable effort by the Habs on Saturday night, it was clear which team was preparing for the playoffs, and which team was preparing their first tee time. The Leafs showed up in key moments of the game, sweeping the season series and ending Montreal’s season with a 4-2 road loss.
In what turned into a very entertaining Bell Centre finale for the season, the Habs were defeated 5-4 by the Jets in overtime despite completing two comebacks during the initial 60 minutes of play.
The Habs played a pretty good game but took far too many penalties against the far too talented Penguins to keep up on Saturday night, falling by a score of 5-2.
Inspired by excellent performances by Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk, the Canadiens won many loose puck battles on their way to a 4-2 victory against a Red Wings team who looked overwhelmed with the speed of the Montreal forwards.
A solid start by the Canadiens was wasted as the team showed its full range of capabilities all in one night as they lost 6-4 to Washington on Saturday.
It was an incredibly sloppy game reserved for fans of each team far more than fans of good hockey but the Habs were ultimately able to put one home, squeaking by Buffalo 3-0 on Friday night.
The Habs once again tried hard but lacked imagination and an ability to create some offensive chances as they were shut out for a second consecutive game on Tuesday night in a 2-0 loss to Florida.