Here’s an excerpt from a CP article reviewing an open Eastern conference:

The Canadiens were a surprising first seed in the playoffs last season and have added depth up front by trading for Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang over the summer. Couple that with the expected development of young players like goalie Carey Price and it adds up to high hopes in Montreal.

However, coach Guy Carbonneau knows better than to look too far ahead. The NHL is much more competitive now than in his playing days so the task facing his team is a difficult one.

“In the past … you could take your time – and not coast – but get ready until Christmas and then after Christmas turn it on and finish really strongly,” said Carbonneau. “Now, if you have a bad month during the first 10 or 15 games of the season you can be out of the playoffs right away.”