“We want to respond well and bounce back from the poor season we had last year.” How many times have fans of NHL teams heard a player or member of the coaching staff use that line ahead of or during training camp. It’s a go-to saying and one to instil hope that whatever poor things happened in the past weren’t going to repeat itself and the Montreal Canadiens weren’t afraid to use it this past September.
But sometimes a line is exactly what it is. The team needs to go on the ice and prove there have been changes in the roster that can show any signs of hope for a more positive ending.