5 Things the Montreal Canadiens Must Do to Make the 2015-16 NHL Playoffs

By Nick Villano

5 Things the Montreal Canadiens Must Do to Make the 2015-16 NHL Playoffs

Tomas Plekanec — With so many teams making so many moves in Montreal's division, and the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Eastern Conference, this team now has a reason to feel slighted. The Lightning defense, the Boston Bruins' rebuild, the Buffalo Sabres' progression and Mike Babcock on the Toronto Maple Leafs are what people are talking about. Here are five things the Habs need to do to maintain their Atlantic Division crown.

5. Keep Carey Price On The Ice

Carey Price

5. Keep Carey Price On The Ice

Carey Price — For one, they need to keep Carey Price healthy and crushing opponents. Price is the best goalie in the league. He is a Vezina finalist each and every season. If he is healthy, this team is a threat for the Cup no matter what they put in front of him.

4. Secondary Scoring

Montreal Canadiens

4. Secondary Scoring

Montreal Canadiens — The Canadiens have struggled to score in recent seasons, especially from the bottom six. They are not devoid of talent; they just need them to realize their potential. They were able to sign Alexander Semin in the offseason, who will help their scoring overall. Devante Smith-Pelly is one player who could turn the scoring around for the bottom six.

3. Another Big Max Pacioretty Year

Max Pacioretty

3. Another Big Max Pacioretty Year

Max Pacioretty — For two seasons straight, Max Pacioretty has been an elite goal scorer. He has 76 goals in the past two years. As long as he continues that pace, he can lead the Canadiens to the playoffs.

2. P.K. Subban Stays A Top 10 Defenseman

P.K. Subban

2. P.K. Subban Stays A Top 10 Defenseman

P.K. Subban — P.K. Subban was in the conversation for the best defenseman in the league last offseason. This year, he has fallen far from that. He is still an elite player at that position, but he is finding it hard to stay in the conversation with the likes of Shea Weber, Mark Giordano and Erik Karlsson. One season can change that, but as long as he stays in the top 10, the Canadiens will be fine.

1. Better Special Teams

Montreal Canadiens

1. Better Special Teams

Montreal Canadiens — The Canadiens were a top-10 team on the penalty kill, but they were awful on the power play. They need to make sure they score more goals with the man advantage than they give up on the other side.

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Montreal Canadiens

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