Putting Out The Fire

  The Habs were starting to turn things around prior to trading Brent Burns and Alexander Romanov to reacquire Max Pacioretty.  Since Patches' arrival, Montreal has managed to defeat the top teams in both the Metropolitan and Atlantic divisions.  Although Pacioretty's numbers aren't very impressive thus far, his mere presence has inspired this team to perform at its peak.  Casey DeSmith has answered the question of who should be starting in net.  He has been pehenomenal in goal recently and even posted the team's first shutout in a 4-0 thumping of the Panthers.  Montreal outshot the Panthers 34-17 and added to it's already impressive shots for/against differential.

  Now that the Habs are back to leading the division, the only thing left to do is add another depth defense in case of injuries.  Despite his very impressive play so far, Gustav Olofsson doesn't belong on a pro roster.  The team is close to the cap ceiling, needs all of its current roster to stay competitive, needs to add players and has almost nothing left to trade.  A 7th round pick doesn't get you much.  Goaltender Hunter Shepard has impressive numbers but is limited to the ECHL while carrying a pro contract in TUFHL.  Morgan Barron is the most attractive prospect the team has left.  He's a big boy and is likely to get his big opportunity as the injury riddled Rangers of the NHL need to fill in the void left by the injury to Sammy Blais.  He's the last of a decent crop of kids, with the others shipped out of Montreal in this all or nothing bid to win the cup.

  Gm Rainville knows that going all in usually doesn't work out for most teams, but there isn't going to be another opportunity for a long, long, long time.  It's now or never for Montreal.  If he still has his job at year's end, he will be a very busy man.