Michael Cammalleri

The Montreal Canadiens are 47 games into the 2011-12 NHL season and their record has suffered drastically. With a 17-21-9 record and currently sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the last place Carolina Hurricanes (17-24-8), the team is on pace for their worst season since the 2002-03 NHL season.

Well that was fun wasn't it? 

Three times the Montreal Canadiens had a lead on the Boston Bruins and three times they let it waste away. For every nice shot, pin point pass and dazzling display of skill, there was a blown coverage or a bone-head play.

For a team that seemed to be controlling the pace of the game, the Habs looked tentative on too many occasions. Every time they built up a lead, they looked like they knew they were about to blow it.

Now I'm really confused. If the Montreal Canadiens played a perfect road game in Game 1, what would you call their performance tonight?

Once again, the Habs' defense stifled the Bruins. Tim Thomas was far from spectacular. He was a rebound machine, the most costly being the one that ended up on Michael Cammalleri's stick 43 seconds into the game.

Finally, the playoffs are upon us. After 82 grueling games, we're finally at the important stuff. And boy did it take long to get here.

We've witnessed countless injuries, the disappearance of Scott Gomez, the emergence of Carey Price, the ups and downs of P.K. Subban, more injuries...

Fortunately, we're passed that now. We can start focusing on the second season. The games that really count.

The drought has ended. After three frustrating games, which included an absolute beat down at the hands of the Bruins, the Canadiens scored a goal. 

More importantly, the Habs picked up another two points and have taken a big leap towards locking down a playoff spot. With 89 points in the bank, it is unlikely they'll pull off the mother of all collapses and miss the second season.

Although the Habs' loss on home ice Wednesday was disappointing, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone overly surprised by the end result. The Canadiens lost Thomas Plekanec, unquestionably their best forward and Jeff Halpern well before the 30-minute mark. The team was without shot-blocking machine Brent Sopel and was once again without the previously surging Max Pacioretty. Finally and perhaps most-disturbingly, Travis Moen was once again playing big minutes.

The Montreal Canadiens are enjoying a few days rest right now and, according to Tomas Plekanec, not a moment too soon.

Another exciting NHL week has gone by and we have a few veterans highlighting the Heat Rack. Evgeni Malkin finally made his return and it was welcomed warmly by his ailing fantasy owners.

Michael Cammalleri is starting to resemble the man we saw in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.

Which other players are heating up in the NHL and will help you win your upcoming fantasy week?

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The Montreal Canadiens are off to a surprising start for most, almost as surprising as their conference final finish last season. There are many reasons as to why they are sitting atop their division and tied for fourth in the league.

It's actually the same reason why they had such a deep playoff run last spring. They've been winning close defensive hockey games, buying into Jacques Martin's system.

November has officially begun, a month of Christmas shopping, snow and more importantly..my birthday. Please forward all your gifts on or before November 30th to my P.O. Box; personal message me and I will gladly give you the address.

Seriously.