Christinne Muschi / Reuters

Montreal fans have one thing on their minds — a Stanley Cup championship — after the Canadiens earned the top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference this season.

With a new season set to begin, new questions are inevitable.

Will Kovalev remain atop his game? Can Plekanec, Streit, Higgins and Andrei Kostitsyn continue playing the best hockey of their young and bright careers? Is Koivu, once he returns from injury, ready to lead his team to a Stanley Cup?

While many expect the answers to be a resounding "Yes", the biggest issue facing the team may be between the pipes.

The Canadiens have been blessed with riding the hot goalie hand. Called up as a rookie in the spring of 1971, Ken Dryden won six straight regular-season games to finish the year and led the Habs to a championship. The 23-year-old also captured the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

In 1985-86, a 19-year-old Roy played in 47 regular-season games and helped guide the Habs to another Cup. Like Dryden, Roy was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.

This year, all eyes are on Price.

The native of Williams Lake, B.C., posted a 24-12-3 regular-season record, with a 2.56 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage (fifth-best). As his playoff career begins, Price has the luxury of going to his experienced coaching staff for help, should he seek it.

“We have a (staff) that had the chance to play in Montreal,” Carbonneau said.

“I think having guys that played here in Montreal, that went through the pressure that won championships here, I think the players can come to us for advice.”

The Canadiens will face off against their Original Six rival, the Boston Bruins, a team they beat in all eight of their meetings this season.

Defenseman Mike Komisarek is expected to return from injury for the start of the playoffs, while Koivu could miss a game or two as he battles through a foot injury.

Montreal will be looking for the same balanced attack they’ve had all year. The Canadiens have a strong amount of depth and shutting down one unit opens the doors for another to succeed.

Will we witness more magic this season? Strap on your skates and enjoy the ride. The hockey gods are watching, and the fun is just getting started.

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Heading to the Cup finals

Adam Henrique scored off a wild scramble in front early in OT and the New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 to advance to their first Stanley Cup finals since '03. The new Eastern champs will face LA next.

NBC Sports

Highlights: OT goal delivers Devils to Cup finals

  Check out highlights as the New Jersey Devils advanced to the Stanley Cup finals by defeating the New York Rangers, 3-2, in overtime.

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