Montreal – Toronto

Last year the Canadiens finished with the second-best record in the league and a huge part of that was goalie Carey Price, who walked away with four post-season awards, including the Hart Trophy, which is given to the player who is the most valuable to their team over the course of the season. Price was just that as he led the league in GAA (1.96), save percentage (.933) and wins (44). The Canadiens really needed his heroics as they finished last in the league in goals scored at 2.61 gpg. During the offseason, the fans were clamoring for the tam to add more offense and GM Marc Bergevin did go out and get Alexander Semin, who has had seven seasons of twenty goals or more, although he did score just six last year for Carolina. He will be asked to do more than he did in Carolina a year ago. Other than Semin, the Habs did not upgrade their offense all that much and it looks as if they will remain a defensive-minded team this year. Still, defense carried this team last year and will so this year as well, as they again finish near the top of the Atlantic Division.