The Montreal Canadiens just missed the playoffs after the 2018-2019 season came to an end despite their 6-5 shootout win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the season finale. The Canadiens finished 44-30-8 and were just three points shy of making the playoffs after failing to make it a year ago.

Montreal wasn’t even expected to be close to the playoffs when the season began last October. They were still a young team, who didn’t have enough scoring, and would have to rely a lot on star goalie Carey Price, who has “carried” them in years previous. But, after surprising starts from the likes of newly acquired Max Domi, and the 18-year old they drafted last June, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the Canadiens were in the playoff hunt for most of the season.

In his first season as a Hab, Domi ended up leading the team in points with 72 (28 goals, 44 assists) in 82 games. Kotkaniemi played in 79 of the 82 games, scoring 11 goals, and adding 23 assists for 34 points. The 18-year-old impressed many in Montreal. Brendan Gallagher led the teams in goals with 33 in his seventh season with the team.

Jeff Petry led the way for defenseman, with 13 goals and 33 assists for 46 points, and appeared in all 82 games. Despite playing in only 58 games due to injury, Shea Weber was also a contributing factor on the blueline both offensively, (14 goals, 19 assists) and defensively.

Price started 64 games, but appeared in 66 games, posting a 35-24-6 record with four shutouts, a 2.49 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. A strong season, but it wasn’t enough to get Montreal into the postseason.

Their worst streak of the season was a five-game losing streak which happened at the end of November, right around the time that Weber made his return from injury. They played well down the stretch going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, but two losses to the teams they were chasing, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes, cost them their shot at the playoffs.

All in all, it was a positive season in Montreal. They still need more scoring, and may need to touch up their defense a little, but if Domi and Gallagher play like they did this season and Price can have another MVP season like a few years ago, we could see the playoffs back in Montreal one year from now.

Sources:

-Stats courtesy of NHL.com