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Montreal Canadiens 2012-2013 Season Preview:
As one of the most storied franchises in NHL history with a dedicated fanbase and history of success, the 2011-12 season was a bit of a letdown by the Montreal Canadiens' lofty standards. The team finished the regular season with a 31-35-16 record and finished at 15th in the Eastern Conference. As a result, the Canadiens experiencing myriad changes all over the ice and in the front office for the 2012-13 season, including head coach Michel Therrien, who is back for his second stint with the team. The team is hoping to put its scoring woes behind them and come back reloaded and ready to compete for a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Canadiens put on one of the worst scoring attacks in the NHL during the 2011-12 season, posting an average of 2.52 goals per game, which ranked 19th in the league. Although the Canadiens' scoring lines will remain largely the same from a year ago, an improvement in their depth should help the team overcome its woes. The front line is still lead by talented goal scorers like Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec and Erik Cole, but the team will have to stay consistent to achieve their true potential.
On defense, the Canadiens have added newcomer Francis Bouillon to the mix, but the starting tandem of Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban will have to play much better than they did in the 2011-12 season. While Markov was sidelined with injuries for much of the year, the younger players on the squad gained valuable experience, which should help the Canadiens if he misses extended time again this year. Of course, if there's one area of the team roster that doesn't need any changes, it's at goaltender. Carey Price has been one of the best goalies in the league for the past several years, and his backup Peter Budaj is more than capable of shifting in to keep Price fresh throughout the season.
Heading into the 2012-13 season, the Canadiens will open up the season at home for the first time since the 1999-00 season against the Ottawa Senators. The team will face each of their division rivals six times throughout the year and will play two special matinee games in Montreal during Super Bowl Sunday weekend on February 2 and 3 against the New York Islanders and Senators.
MONTREAL CANADIENS EXPERIENCE:
Founded: 1909
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Stadium: Bell Centre
Conference: Eastern Conference
Division: Northeast Division
Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup Titles: 24 - last championship: 1992-93
Montreal Canadiens Conference Championships: 8
Notable Players: Gary Monahan, Michel Plasse, Lorne "Gump" Worsley, & Carey Price
The Montreal Canadiens are perhaps the most storied and well known of all the teams in the NHL. They are one of the original six teams that founded the NHL in 1917. They have more Stanley Cups than any other team, and their success makes them the third most successful sports teams in North America with regards to their percentage of championships. Only the Boston Celtics and New York Yankees have more championship success. A home game at the Bell Center gives fans the combined experience of watching a storied team with a long rich history and a young exciting team with a new coach trying to reach the playoffs and another chance for a Stanley Cup.
The Montreal Canadiens play hockey in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team was founded in 1909 and began playing hockey in the NHL predecessor, the National Hockey Association. The teams history includes 24 Stanley Cup wins, many of them back to - 5 in a row in the 1950's and 4 in a row in the 1970's. The Montreal Canadiens have a list of hall of famers too long to list, including Patrick Roy, Henri Richard, and Howie Morenz.
The Montreal Canadiens play their home games at the Bell Center (Centre Bell). With a hockey attendance capacity of over 21,000, the arena seats more fans than any other in the NHL. A home game is one of the quintessential experiences in hockey. You'll hear the crowd roar as famed announcer Michel Lacroix announces a Canadians game. Buy Montreal Canadiens tickets and watch this legendary team play for more hockey glory!
See Also:
Montreal Canadiens Playoff tickets
Montreal Canadiens Season Preview History