By Stevo, AllHabs.net

MONTREAL, QC.– The Habs are 3-1-1 to start the season and although their play has not been perfect, far from it, fans of the bleu blanc rouge can be satisfied of where the team stands after five games.

The Habs commenced the past week at home Wednesday night with an overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, this after giving up a two-goal lead and being heavily outshot by their opponents.  The Habs then rebounded with back-to-back wins at Buffalo against the Sabres on Friday, and then at home against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

The Habs picked up five out of a possible six points available on the week, and although standings don’t count for much at this point of the season, they are only one point behind Toronto and Washington who sit in the top spot with eight points.

I know what you’re saying, “Stevo, you made a mistake, Toronto can’t be ahead of Montreal, even less, Toronto can’t be in first place! – LOL – LMAO – PML“ or something like that.  It’s no mistake, although still early in the season, Toronto has won all four games they have played so far.

The Dallas Stars are the only other undefeated team in the NHL so far this season, also having won all four of their games.

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The Habs don’t have a very busy start to this season and only play two games this coming week.  After four days off, they play at home against the New Jersey Devils before heading to Ottawa on Saturday to replay the Senators.

New Jersey Devils (Thursday October 21^st)

• Match-up:  Conference.
• Record: 1-4-1.
• Rank: 15^th.
• Streak:  2 losses.  Against the Boston Bruins (4-1) and Colorado Avalanche (3-2).
• Leading scorers:  Ilya Kovalchuk (2-3), Patrik Elias (1-3).
• Interesting Note:  No team in the league has given up more goals (21) then the Devils so far this season.   (Also struggling with cap issues.)
• Upcoming:  No upcoming games before Thursday against Montreal.

*****

Ottawa Senators (Saturday October 23^rd)

• Match-up:  Divisional
• Record:  1-3-1
• Rank:  13th
• Streak:  1 loss.  Against Montreal Canadiens (4-3)
• Leading Scorers:  Jason Spezza (1-3) and Daniel Alfredsson (0-4)
• Interesting Note:  Pascal Leclaire who’s been injury prone his entire career injured himself (groin) last Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes, he is out indefinitely.  Brian Elliot should carry the load for now.
• Upcoming:  Ottawa plays in Pittsburgh against the Penguins (3-3) on Monday, then in Buffalo against the Sabres (1-4) on Friday, before hosting the Canadiens at home on Saturday.

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It’s still very early in the season; teams are a little unpredictable so the Devils and Senators records are not to be taken lightly.  Both teams posses dangerous assets but both will most probably face Carey Price who’s been red hot so far this season playing in all games for his squad.  In five starts, he’s 3-1-1 with a GAA of 2.57 and SVP of 0.914%.

Habs leading scores are Tomas Plekanec (2-3) and Andrei Kostitsyn (2-2).  Mike Cammalleri stands out in the +/- column at +5, while Josh Gorges leads all Habs players in ice time with an average of 23.48 minutes per game.

I believe the four points available are there for the Canadiens to lose, although I have a gut feeling that the Senators will adjust having just played against Montreal this past Saturday, and that game scares me a little more.

Fearless prediction of the week, the Devils will continue with their difficult season start, losing to the Habs on Thursday, Senators will adjust and find a way to beat the Habs next Saturday.  Habs split the week.

Have a good week, and Go Habs Go!