People were hyping Montreal up as ready to break out after they got Laine, but i wasn't so sure. Still questions abound on D and a little bit in net. But really something clicked over the last 10 games where it finally looks like whatever Martin St. Louis was trying to do is now working.
Lane Hutson now leads all rookies in scoring with 30. While i rolled my eyes at the "he's Makar lite bro!" claims, he actually kinda does look it lmao.
And the biggest change in this recent stretch is goaltending. I'm absolutely not buying Dobes as the second coming of the lord and savior after like, 2 games. What i will buy though is him being better than the sentient garbage can with goalie pads taped on in Cayden Primeau. In 7 games started, Primeau is 2-3 with a GAA of 4.70 and a sv% below .840. That is horrific. Him being replaced by a shooter tutor is better at that point.
Realistically though it's just a mid-off. Look at the wild card picture;
Tampa at least looked competent but then decided to shit themselves these past couple weeks. Holy f***ing mid, batman.
My buddy goes "ya well Boston sucks" and i go "true, but look at the standings. Can you tell me with certainly any of those teams are better than them?"
"...nah, not really i guess"