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NHL playoffs preview: Canadiens and Senators

By Lauren Lapka

Jan 15, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) skates with the puck as Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) chases in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) skates with the puck as Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) chases in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators will meet in the first round in the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators, now playoff rivals after 2013, will put their goalies to the test in the first round of the playoffs.

The Canadiens finished 50-22-10 with 110 points to take the atlantic division. Strangely, they aren’t very strong in the offense department.  They ranked 23rd in shot attempt percentage, 20th in goals per game and they struggle on the powerplay. Who needs a strong offense when you have the league’s best goalie. The Canadiens finished first in goals against with an average 2.24 thanks to Carey Price.

The Senators finished with an average 2.83 goals per game, 9th in the league. They finished the regular season 43-26-13 with 99 points. They’re entering the post-season on a 21-3-3 thanks to their rookie goalie Andrew Hammond.

PLAYERS TO LOOK FOR:

Obviously the best goalie in the league, Montreal’s Carey Price. He leads the league with 44 wins, which is also a new franchise record. He also leads in goals against average with a 1.96 and save percentage with a .933. PK Subban is one of the leagues best defenseman. He contributed 15 goals this season and will be some important muscle in this series. Max Pacioretty, if he can get healthy in time, led the team with 37 goals and 67 points. As for the Senators, their goalie Andrew Hammond. The rookie went on a 20-1-2 run at the end of the season. Erik Karlsson, he led his team in points with 66 and assists with 45. Mike Hoffman, he racked up 27 goals in the regular season. Mark Stone, the teams other rookie, who picked up 26 goals.

INJURIES:

The Canadiens lost Davis Drewiske for the season with a wrist injury and Max Pacioretty has yet to be cleared for contact after suffering an upper body injury. As for the Senators, Chris Phillips remains out with an undisclosed injury. Robin Lehner is still out with a concussion. Matt Puempl is still out with a high ankle sprain.

PREDICTION:

If both goalies are on point, I believe Ottawa will have the advantage offensively. I’m taking the Senators in 7.

SCHEDULE:

GAME 1: April 15, Ottawa @ Montreal 7:00ET/6:00CT NHL

GAME 2: April 17, Ottawa @ Montreal 7:00ET/6:00CT CNBC

GAME 3: April 19, Montreal vs. Ottawa 7:00ET/6:00CT NBCSN

GAME 4: April 22, Montreal vs. Ottawa 7:00ET/6:00CT USA

IF GAME 5: April 24, TBA

IF GAME 6: April 26, TBA

IF GAME 7: April 28, TBA

For more of my videos, check out my author page here. Now that you know what my thoughts on it are, let me know what you think in the comments below or send me a tweet on the interwebs @LaurenLapka.

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