from Brendan Kelly of the Montreal Gazette,

So maybe two rounds, but no more than that. And for even two rounds to happen, Price and Pacioretty have to step up and have great playoff runs, something neither has done in the past. We know Alexander Radulov will be a beast, I have a feeling Andrew Shaw will be gritty and good, and Brendan Gallagher, who appeared to be washed up in the first half of the season, seems to be coming to life at the right time.

Weber? Jury’s out. He looked simply horrible at the end of the Predators’ playoff run last year and he’s been decidedly ordinary for a few months. So we’ll see.

I still don’t think they’re an elite squad. Put in the simplest terms, it’s near-impossible to imagine that a team with Phillip Danault as the first-line centre is a contender.

But you’re all right, now is not the time for negativity. The playoffs start Wednesday, the bars across the city are going to be packed with excited fans, and I’ll be there at the Taverne Normand on Mont-Royal Ave. E. cheering on the lads with all my buddies who’ve been giving me the gears all these years for being too much of a downer. In short, bring it on!

more