# 2017–18 Montreal Canadiens season

The 2017–18 Montreal Canadiens season was the 109th season for the franchise that was founded on December 4, 1909, and their 101st in the National Hockey League. For the second time in the past three seasons, the Canadiens failed to make the playoffs.

## Standings

Atlantic Division :
| Pos | Team v t e | GP | W | L | OTL | ROW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | z – Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 54 | 23 | 5 | 48 | 296 | 236 | +60 | 113 |
| 2 | x – Boston Bruins | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 47 | 270 | 214 | +56 | 112 |
| 3 | x – Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 49 | 26 | 7 | 42 | 277 | 232 | +45 | 105 |
| 4 | Florida Panthers | 82 | 44 | 30 | 8 | 41 | 248 | 246 | +2 | 96 |
| 5 | Detroit Red Wings | 82 | 30 | 39 | 13 | 25 | 217 | 255 | −38 | 73 |
| 6 | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 29 | 40 | 13 | 27 | 209 | 264 | −55 | 71 |
| 7 | Ottawa Senators | 82 | 28 | 43 | 11 | 26 | 221 | 291 | −70 | 67 |
| 8 | Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 25 | 45 | 12 | 24 | 199 | 280 | −81 | 62 |
Eastern Conference Wild Card :
| Pos | Div | Team v t e | GP | W | L | OTL | ROW | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | ME | x – Columbus Blue Jackets | 82 | 45 | 30 | 7 | 39 | 242 | 230 | +12 | 97 |
| 2 | ME | x – New Jersey Devils | 82 | 44 | 29 | 9 | 39 | 248 | 244 | +4 | 97 |
| 3 | AT | Florida Panthers | 82 | 44 | 30 | 8 | 41 | 248 | 246 | +2 | 96 |
| 4 | ME | Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 36 | 35 | 11 | 33 | 228 | 256 | −28 | 83 |
| 5 | ME | New York Islanders | 82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 32 | 264 | 296 | −32 | 80 |
| 6 | ME | New York Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 31 | 231 | 268 | −37 | 77 |
| 7 | AT | Detroit Red Wings | 82 | 30 | 39 | 13 | 25 | 217 | 255 | −38 | 73 |
| 8 | AT | Montreal Canadiens | 82 | 29 | 40 | 13 | 27 | 209 | 264 | −55 | 71 |
| 9 | AT | Ottawa Senators | 82 | 28 | 43 | 11 | 26 | 221 | 291 | −70 | 67 |
| 10 | AT | Buffalo Sabres | 82 | 25 | 45 | 12 | 24 | 199 | 280 | −81 | 62 |

## Schedule and results
### Preseason

The preseason schedule was released on June 19, 2017.

### Regular season

The regular season schedule was published on June 22, 2017.
2017–18 game log :
Legend:
  Win (2 points)
  Loss (0 points)
  Overtime/shootout loss (1 point) :

## Player statistics

Final

### Skaters

Regular season :
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/− | PIM |
| Brendan Gallagher | 82 | 31 | 23 | 54 | −13 | 34 |
| Alex Galchenyuk | 82 | 19 | 32 | 51 | −31 | 22 |
| Jonathan Drouin | 77 | 13 | 33 | 46 | −28 | 30 |
| Jeff Petry | 82 | 12 | 30 | 42 | −30 | 28 |
| Max Pacioretty | 64 | 17 | 20 | 37 | −16 | 30 |
| Paul Byron | 82 | 20 | 15 | 35 | −4 | 23 |
| Charles Hudon | 72 | 10 | 20 | 30 | −12 | 38 |
| Phillip Danault | 52 | 8 | 17 | 25 | 0 | 34 |
| Tomas Plekanec$^‡$ | 60 | 6 | 18 | 24 | 3 | 39 |
| Artturi Lehkonen | 66 | 12 | 9 | 21 | −11 | 20 |
| Andrew Shaw | 51 | 10 | 10 | 20 | −8 | 53 |
| Shea Weber | 26 | 6 | 10 | 16 | −8 | 14 |
| Daniel Carr | 38 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 2 | 8 |
| Jordie Benn | 77 | 4 | 11 | 15 | −2 | 34 |
| Nicolas Deslauriers | 58 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 7 | 55 |
| Jacob de la Rose | 55 | 4 | 8 | 12 | −2 | 29 |
| Karl Alzner | 82 | 1 | 11 | 12 | −7 | 40 |
| Joe Morrow$^‡$ | 38 | 5 | 6 | 11 | −11 | 26 |
| Byron Froese | 48 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 26 |
| Mike Reilly$^†$ | 19 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 8 |
| Victor Mete | 49 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Nikita Scherbak | 26 | 4 | 2 | 6 | −5 | 8 |
| Logan Shaw$^†$ | 30 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −5 | 8 |
| David Schlemko | 37 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Jakub Jerabek$^‡$ | 25 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 6 |
| Noah Juulsen | 23 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Kerby Rychel | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −2 | 2 |
| Brandon Davidson$^‡$ | 13 | 0 | 1 | 1 | −3 | 9 |
| Michael McCarron | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | −1 | 32 |
| Brett Lernout | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | −5 | 6 |
| Rinat Valiev | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Mark Streit | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −2 | 0 |
| Ales Hemsky | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 10 |
| Torrey Mitchell$^‡$ | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |

### Goaltenders

Regular season :
| Player | GP | GS | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
| Carey Price | 49 | 48 | 2,854:37 | 16 | 26 | 7 | 148 | 3.11 | 1487 | .900 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Antti Niemi$^†$ | 19 | 17 | 1,026:16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 42 | 2.46 | 592 | .929 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Charlie Lindgren | 14 | 14 | 832:58 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 42 | 3.03 | 457 | .908 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Al Montoya$^‡$ | 4 | 3 | 222:31 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 3.77 | 102 | .863 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
$^†$Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Canadiens. Stats reflect time with Canadiens only. $^‡$Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Canadiens only.

## Awards and honours
### Awards

Regular season :
| Player | Award | Awarded | Ref |
| Carey Price | NHL Second Star of the Week | December 4, 2017 | |
| Carey Price | NHL All-Star Game selection | January 10, 2018 | |

### Milestones

Regular season :
| Player | Milestone | Reached |
| Victor Mete | 1st career NHL game | October 5, 2017 |
| Karl Alzner | 100th career NHL assist | October 14, 2017 |
| Victor Mete | 1st career NHL assist 1st career NHL point | October 17, 2017 |
| Jonathan Drouin | 100th career NHL point | October 17, 2017 |
| Brendan Gallagher | 100th career NHL assist | October 24, 2017 |
| Karl Alzner | 600th career NHL game | October 24, 2017 |
| Andrew Shaw | 400th career NHL game | October 26, 2017 |
| Charles Hudon | 1st career NHL goal | October 30, 2017 |
| Charlie Lindgren | 1st career NHL shutout | November 5, 2017 |
| Paul Byron | 300th career NHL game | November 14, 2017 |
| Jakub Jerabek | 1st career NHL game | November 22, 2017 |
| Brendan Gallagher | 200th career NHL point | November 27, 2017 |
| Paul Byron | 1st career NHL hat-trick | December 2, 2017 |
| Brendan Gallagher | 100th career NHL goal | December 2, 2017 |
| Shea Weber | 500th career NHL point | December 5, 2017 |
| Max Pacioretty | 600th career NHL game | December 28, 2017 |
| Jonathan Drouin | 200th career NHL game | January 4, 2018 |
| Alex Galchenyuk | 100th career NHL goal | January 13, 2018 |
| Artturi Lehkonen | 100th career NHL game | January 13, 2018 |
| Jakub Jerabek | 1st career NHL assist 1st career NHL point | January 15, 2018 |
| Jakub Jerabek | 1st career NHL goal | January 17, 2018 |
| Tomas Plekanec | 600th career NHL point | February 4, 2018 |
| Jeff Petry | 500th career NHL game | February 10, 2018 |
| Joe Morrow | 100th career NHL game | February 17, 2018 |
| Noah Juulsen | 1st career NHL game | February 22, 2018 |
| Byron Froese | 100th career NHL game | February 28, 2018 |
| Jacob de la Rose | 100th career NHL game | February 28, 2018 |
| Noah Juulsen | 1st career NHL goal 1st career NHL point | March 2, 2018 |
| Alex Galchenyuk | 400th career NHL game | March 2, 2018 |
| Brendan Gallagher | 400th career NHL game | March 24, 2018 |
| Noah Juulsen | 1st career NHL assist | March 26, 2018 |
| Mike Reilly | 100th career NHL game | April 1, 2018 |

## Transactions

The Canadiens have been involved in the following transactions during the 2017–18 season.
Trades
Date
Details
Ref
June 22, 2017 (2017-06-22)
To Vegas Golden Knights5th-round pick in 2019
To Montreal CanadiensDavid Schlemko
October 4, 2017 (2017-10-04)
To Buffalo SabresZach Redmond
To Montreal CanadiensNicolas Deslauriers
October 4, 2017 (2017-10-04)
To Chicago BlackhawksAndreas Martinsen
To Montreal CanadiensKyle Baun
November 23, 2017 (2017-11-23)
To Los Angeles KingsTorrey Mitchell
To Montreal CanadiensConditional 5th-round pick in 2018
November 30, 2017 (2017-11-30)
To New York RangersPeter Holland
To Montreal CanadiensAdam Cracknell
January 4, 2018 (2018-01-04)
To Edmonton OilersAl Montoya
To Montreal CanadiensConditional 4th-round pick in 2018
February 21, 2018 (2018-02-21)
To Washington CapitalsJakub Jerabek
To Montreal Canadiens5th-round pick in 2019
February 25, 2018 (2018-02-25)
To Toronto Maple LeafsKyle Baun Tomas Plekanec
To Montreal CanadiensKerby Rychel Rinat Valiev 2nd-round pick in 2018
February 26, 2018 (2018-02-26)
To Winnipeg JetsJoe Morrow
To Montreal Canadiens4th-round pick in 2018
February 26, 2018 (2018-02-26)
To Minnesota Wild5th-round pick in 2019
To Montreal CanadiensMike Reilly
June 15, 2018 (2018-06-15)
To Arizona CoyotesAlex Galchenyuk
To Montreal CanadiensMax Domi
Notes
$^{Note1}$ Montreal to retain 50% of Plekanec's remaining salary as part of trade.
Free agents acquired
DatePlayerFormer teamContract terms (in U.S. dollars)Ref
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)Karl AlznerWashington Capitals5-year, $23.125 million
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)Peter HollandArizona Coyotes2-year, $1.35 million
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)Byron FroeseTampa Bay Lightning2-year, $1.3 million
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)Matt TaorminaTampa Bay Lightning2-year, $1.3 million two-way contract
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)Joe MorrowBoston Bruins1-year, $650,000
July 3, 2017 (2017-07-03)Ales HemskyDallas Stars1-year, $1 million
July 25, 2017 (2017-07-25)Mark StreitPittsburgh Penguins1-year, $700,000
March 25, 2018 (2018-03-25)Hayden VerbeekSault Ste. Marie Greyhounds3-year, $2.33 million entry-level contract
April 24, 2018 (2018-04-24)Alexandre AlainBlainville-Boisbriand Armada3-year, $2.33 million entry-level contract
May 28, 2018 (2018-05-28)Michal MoravcikHC Plzeň2-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract
May 28, 2018 (2018-05-28)David SklenickaHC Plzeň2-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract
Free agents lost
DatePlayerNew teamContract terms (in U.S. dollars)Ref
June 26, 2017 (2017-06-26)Ryan JohnstonLuleå HF2-year
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)Joel HanleyArizona Coyotes1-year, $725,000 two-way contract
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)Brian FlynnDallas Stars1-year, $700,000 two-way contract
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)Keegan LoweEdmonton Oilers1-year, $650,000 two-way contract
July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)Stefan MatteauVegas Golden Knights1-year, $650,000 two-way contract
July 3, 2017 (2017-07-03)Alexander RadulovDallas Stars5-year, $31.25 million
July 6, 2017 (2017-07-06)Nikita NesterovCSKA Moscow3-year
July 28, 2017 (2017-07-28)Andrei MarkovAk Bars Kazan2-year
August 4, 2017 (2017-08-04)Dalton ThrowerAllen Americans2-year
August 14, 2017 (2017-08-14)Dwight KingAvtomobilist Yekaterinburg2-year
August 17, 2017 (2017-08-17)Connor CrispToledo Walleye1-year
September 5, 2017 (2017-09-05)Mark MacMillanWichita ThunderUnknown
June 8, 2018 (2018-06-08)Markus EisenschmidAdler Mannheim2-year
Claimed via waivers
PlayerPrevious teamDateRef
Antti NiemiFlorida PanthersNovember 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
Logan ShawAnaheim DucksJanuary 15, 2018 (2018-01-15)
Lost via waivers
PlayerNew teamDateRef
Brandon DavidsonEdmonton OilersDecember 3, 2017 (2017-12-03)
Players released
DatePlayerViaRef
October 16, 2017Mark StreitContract termination
October 29, 2017Martin RewayContract termination
Lost via Expansion Draft
DatePlayerRef
June 21, 2017
Alexei Emelin
Player signings
DatePlayerContract terms (in U.S. dollars)Ref
June 28, 2017 (2017-06-28)Jacob de la Rose1-year, $725,000 contract extension
July 2, 2017 (2017-07-02)Carey Price8-year, $84 million contract extension
July 5, 2017 (2017-07-05)Alex Galchenyuk3-year, $14.7 million contract extension
July 6, 2017 (2017-07-06)Charlie Lindgren1-year, $700,000 two-way contract extension
February 13, 2018 (2018-02-13)Charlie Lindgren3-year, $2.25 million contract extension
February 19, 2018 (2018-02-19)Nicolas Deslauriers2-year, $1.9 million contract extension
March 7, 2018 (2018-03-07)William Bitten3-year, $2.73 million entry-level contract
March 7, 2018 (2018-03-07)Michael Pezzetta3-year, $2.23 million entry-level contract
April 9, 2018 (2018-04-09)Jake Evans2-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract
May 2, 2018 (2018-05-02)Lukas Vejdemo2-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract
May 22, 2018 (2018-05-22)Antti Niemi1-year, $950,000 contract extension
May 31, 2018 (2018-05-31)Rinat Valiev1-year, $650,000 two-way contract extension
June 16, 2018 (2018-06-16)Max Domi2-year, $6.3 million contract extension :

## Draft picks

Below are the Montreal Canadiens' selections at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, which was held on June 23 and 24, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago.
| Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
| 1 | 25 | Ryan Poehling | C | United States | St. Cloud State University (NCHC) |
| 2 | 56 | Josh Brook | D | Canada | Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) |
| 2 | 58$^1$ | Joni Ikonen | C | Finland | Frölunda HC (J20 SuperElit) |
| 3 | 68$^2$ | Scott Walford | D | Canada | Victoria Royals (WHL) |
| 3 | 87 | Cale Fleury | D | Canada | Kootenay Ice (WHL) |
| 5 | 149 | Jarret Tyszka | D | Canada | Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) |
| 7 | 199$^3$ | Cayden Primeau | G | United States | Lincoln Stars (USHL) |