Montreal is the Best in the East - Get Used to it!

The Habs are sitting on top of the Eastern Conference again, and this far into a 48 game season, many of the doubters are converting into believers.  The Habs have been at or near the top of the Eastern Conference all season and many non-believers have said that Montreal is not truly a first-place team and that things would get worse.  After 27 games, the Habs have managed to prove that they have more than a little luck on their side, they actually have a very deep and talented roster.

One of the keys to Montreal's success is that everyone is producing.  The Canadiens are not relying on a single line for scoring chances - everyone is contributing.  Paciorety is looking like the NHL player of the week, which he earned at the beginning of March, week-after-week.  He is playing with so much confidence it is ludicrous.  It also works.  Players like Galchenuk and Gallagher can no longer be called Montreal's rookies - though they are.  They've both proven that they can produce and are in the big league to stay.  Eller too, another youngster keeps proving that he is an NHL caliber center.  He scored twice tonight including the game-winning goal in the shootout.

At first when the Habs traded for Ryder I was very excited.  Then, I saw him play a few games and was turned off.  However, the success of the Habs seems to be wearing off on Ryder as he has really stepped it up recently.  He still only plays decently most nights, but that's at least as decent as Erik Cole, who we traded for Ryder.

Montreal's defense is also playing extremely well.  Subban, Markov and Emelin are all showing that they are amongst the league's top defensemen.  It's certainly great to be able to say that about three of our denfensemen.

In tonight's matchup against the Senators, Eller, Gallagher and Subban scored in regulation.  In overtime, Therrien trusted Galchenyuk, Desharnais and Eller to get the job done.  Galchenyuk and Eller both scored to give the Habs the win.

It's great to be able to turn on the Habs game expecting a win.  I have trouble remembering the last time I felt that way with such certainty.

Canadiens play in New Jersey on Saturday at 7PM (ET).