Strap on your seatbelts, because the Canadiens, with their speed game and their youth, will be fun to watch, playoff spot or not. They are a team on the rise.

2018-19 saw the Habs take a step in the right direction and as a result, there is legitimate cause for optimism heading into next season.

Despite losing tough games against Carolina and Columbus last month, the Habs are going to be in the mix for a playoff spot right down to the wire.

The Habs have faced plenty of doubters this season but as we hit the stretch run, they’re still holding down a playoff spot which should make for an exciting finish to the year.

The Habs have hit their bye week on a high note, providing some cause for optimism down the stretch as they continue to battle for a playoff spot.

Shea Weber’s return to the lineup has helped stabilize Montreal’s defence corps and has provided some cause for optimism as we near the second half of the season.

The Habs have moved past the quarter-season mark and are continuing to hold down a playoff spot with the perceived weakness of the team being its strength so far.

It certainly wasn’t expected coming into the year but the Habs have provided plenty of cause for optimism in the early weeks of the season.

There will be growing pains for the Habs in 2018-19 but there is cause for some optimism given some recent additions both on and off the ice.

While there have been a few bright spots, those are quickly overshadowed by a whole lot of negatives in what has been a dreadful season in Montreal.