Bill Clement

With the playoffs quickly approaching, the Montreal Canadiens could not have picked a better time to win games consistently. The keys for their recent run of success are a stingy defense and outstanding play in net by Cristobal Huet, a French-born goaltender.

Montreal has battled its way back into the hunt for a playoff spot by going on a recent winning streak, which was halted at eight games with a loss to New Jersey on Saturday. The streak was the Canadiens’ longest since an eight-game run from Oct. 24-Nov. 11 1992. It was been accomplished on the backs of some of the Eastern Conference’s weaker teams.

Six of the victories came at home, and the Canadiens toppled Boston twice, Toronto twice, Pittsburgh, Washington and the New York Islanders — all teams that won't skate in the postseason.

What’s more, the Canadiens essentially caught the Senators (without four defensemen) in the final game of the streak at the perfect time.

Still, Montreal is a team that deserves a ton of respect.

Here’s why:

Huet le manifique
In the weeks leading up to the Olympic break, the Canadiens lost 10 of 14 games and appeared dead in the water. They even fell to No. 11 in the Eastern Conference playoff chase during a stretch that began in late December and lasted through the latter part of January.

However, Huet, who had taken over at midseason for the struggling Jose Theodore, got red-hot as he won five of his first seven starts after the Turin Olympics.

Overall, the third-year veteran (who was a seventh-round draft pick of the L.A. Kings in 2001) has posted seven shutouts in 32 starts (through April 9), and among the NHL leaders in goal-against average and save percentage.

Defensemen have also responded
Huet’s play has essentially given the Montreal defensemen confidence a huge boost. Why? Collectively, they know they can play without the fear of making a mistake that will lead to a goal scored against them. 

Veterans Sheldon Souray and Andrei Markov — one of the NHL’s most underrated players — are two that have stood out of late.

Effective (not flashy) offense
The Canadiens are hardly a dominant team in the goal-scoring department. What’s more, they lack a player with dominant offensive skills.

But they have a collection of players who are capable of getting things done in the opponents’ end of the ice. Veterans Saku Koivu (the team captain) and Alexei Kovalev are dueling for the team lead in points.

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Montreal’s top goal scorer Michael Ryder has really picked up his play of late, scoring nine points in a stretch of nine straight games.

Center Mike Ribeiro has played through a rib injury and has been effective, especially in the streak-extending victory over Ottawa in which he contributed three points — including his 15^th goal of the season.

Rookie forward Christopher Higgins of Smithtown, N.Y. has also been a pleasant surprise.

Playoffs?
Before I attempt to predict the Canadiens’ playoff fate, keep in mind that the homestretch of the regular season is hardly a cakewalk.

True, Montreal will play three of its final five games on home ice. But they are to play once more vs. Ottawa and New Jersey, plus two games against Buffalo.

That’s tough.

But if Huet’s outstanding play continues, the Canadiens are capable of winning a first-round playoff series.

But they simply lack enough talent to get past Round 2.

Give credit to Gainey
I would be remiss if I did not credit Bob Gainey for his excellent work done behind the Montreal bench. Gainey, a Hall of Fame defenseman and former Canadiens captain, is a calm leader, who has helped to bring a terrific sense of stability to the current team.

But he will be tested in the offseason due to Huet’s expiring contract and the presence of David Aebischer (44 saves in the April 6 win at Ottawa), whom Gainey acquired in a March 8 trade that sent Theodore to Colorado.

Gainey will certainly re-sign Huet. 

The situation in the Montreal nets will work itself out, too.