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Boston Bruins rivalry roundup: Scoping out the Atlantic Division for 2017-2018

By Chad Zimmermann

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Bruins fans cheer on their team during the third period of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden on April 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Senators defeat the Bruins 1-0. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Bruins fans cheer on their team during the third period of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden on April 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Senators defeat the Bruins 1-0. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 22: Shea Weber
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 22: Shea Weber /

Montreal Canadiens

2016-2017 record:  47-26-9, 103 points

Interesting factoid from last season:  I think most Habs fans would agree the Shea Weber for P.K. Subban trade didn’t work out as originally planned, as the Predators went on to the Stanley Cup finals, and the Canadiens were knocked out in the first round by the Rangers.

2017-2018 outlook:  I dislike the Canadiens as much as the next Boston Bruins fan, but there’s no denying that the team has what it takes to do some damage.  The aforementioned Shea Weber is a Top 5 defender in this league.  They have a bunch of players that can get under a team’s skin, like Brendan Gallagher and Andrew Shaw.  And leaving the best for last, Carey Price is a world class goalie, the type of goaltender that becomes the cornerstone of a franchise.

Related Story: 2017-2018 Boston Bruins season preview

The last two seasons, however, the Habs have come out hot, and fizzled out towards the end of the season.  I see the opposite happening this year, given new additions like Jonathan Drouin will have to get acclimated to playing in a place like Montreal.

Prediction:  Montreal makes the playoffs again, but as the Wild Card finishing 4th in the Atlantic.

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