2008 Montreal Canadiens

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Boston Bruins, who beat the Canadiens 4 games to 0 to advance to the Conference Semifinals in the 2009 NHL Playoffs, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Montreal Canadiens for the wonderful season they had, finishing 2nd in the brutal Northeast Division!

The Montreal Canadiens had a great 2007-2008 season, taking first place in the Northeast Division and ending as Eastern Conference regular season champs. Of course, that made it all the more painful when they were knocked out of the Conference Semifinals by the Philadelphia Flyers, but that just means they’re all the more determined to take home the 2009 Stanley Cup. The 2008-2009 season will be the 100th for the Habs, and so their home court, Bell Centre, will host the 2009 NHL All Star Game as well as the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The Canadiens are entering the 2008-2009 season strengthened by changes made in the off-season, like losing center Bryan Smolinski, swingman Mark Streit and right winger Michael Ryder, and gaining left winger Alex Tanguay, veteran goaltender Marc Denis, right winger Georges Laraque and defensemen Chad Anderson, Greg Pateryn, Alex Henry and Shawn Belle. Tickets to Bell Centre are sure to be in high demand as fans flock to see this legendary team in action. Get your Montreal Canadiens tickets and cheer the Habs on to a winning season in 2008!

The Montreal Canadiens have an incredible accumulation of postseason experience. The franchise had made it into the playoffs 76 previous times, dating back to 1916. They have won possession of the Stanley Cup 24 times! 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 the Canadiens, sports are an important part of life in Montreal. If the sporting life is too 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.