After
the first half of the season, there was a great argument to be made that the
perennial division favourite was actually going to miss the playoffs for the
first time since Walsh’s first season as general manger. They continued to play
right through trade rumors that effected their top six, but change after change
eventually found them hitting the right groove.
At some point, something clicked, and the Habs didn’t look back. Montreal has
lost only 7 of their last 34 games, skyrocketing from the playoff bubble to a
divisional win with their victory over the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night and a
loss from the Red Wings tonight.
Now, with one meaningless regular season games remaining, Montreal sits with a
decision on whether or not rest star players in the final game, a tactic they
have employed in the past while willingly paying the fine for the privilege.
And while he just came back from an injury and has had several 1-game absences
this season, star Michael Dal Colle is currently tied for the league point lead
and will surely be pushing his coach to keep him in the lineup. An injury in
these final two games to any
core player could be impactful on the playoffs however.. it remains to be seen
what path the club will take.
Garret Sparks will definitely be taking a seat in the last night of the season.
His turn around from a save percentage in the high 880s to 902 to end the
season is remarkable. Backup Marek Mazanec well over performed expectations all
season long, netting a 14-6-2 record and a save percentage that has always been
higher than Sparks’. The caveat being many of his starts came against
low-scoring clubs in very strategic scheduling by the coaching
staff.
12/11/2025 - 292 words
