2003 Montreal Canadiens

The hungry Montreal Canadiens are looking the get back to the Playoffs this year after a disappointing 2002-2003 season. Playing in downtown Montreal in the Bell Centre, formerly the Molson Centre, the Canadiens are poised to make another historic run for the Stanley Cup. Winners of more Stanley Cups than any other team in NHL History the Canadiens are looking to avenge a disappointing finish last year.

With a standout goaltender in Jose Theodore and team captain Saku Koivu the Habs are an experienced and deep. They are planning to play a defensive brand of hockey and capitalize on Theodore, who having stepped out of the Hall of Fame shadow of Patrick Roy looks to write his own chapter in Montreal History. Theodore will need to be stellar in goal in order for the Canadiens to finish on top of the ultra-competitive Northeast Division. Longtime rivals Boston and Toronto have strengthened their teams and are always looking to show the Canadiens they have some History of their own.

The Canadiens are without argument the greatest team in NHL History. As a franchise they have won a record 23 Stanley Cups, but unfortunately none since 1993. From the game's greatest goal-tender Patrick Roy to Guy Lafleur and even Coach Toe Blake a look at Montreal's all-time roster reads like a who's who of the Hall of Fame. The ghosts of those great players that seemed to spook opposing players have not found their way from the old Montreal Forum to the gleaming new Bell Centre, which opened in 1996. The Canadiens have struggled a bit in recent years since moving to the brand new Bell Centre. The fans have supported them though, almost 850,000 of them a year come to cheer on their beloved Habs.

Montreal is one of the most beautiful cities in North America. Established by French Settlers in 1642 Montreal has grown as cultural and sports Mecca in Eastern Canada. Having hosted the summer Olympics in 1976 and now home to both the Canadiens and Expos (Olympic Stadium), sports are an important part of life in Montreal. If the sporting life is to much for you be sure to check out one of Montreal's many festivals including their world famous Festival International de Jazz or their Just For Laughs Festival.