The Montreal Canadiens have plans to address specific areas of their roster after a breakthrough campaign that pushed them deep into the playoffs. Management has already shown a willingness to pursue impact talent rather than settle for smaller additions.

The Montreal Canadiens seemingly missed out on Matthew Knies at the trade deadline by one minute and now might have lost any chance to acquire the forward.

The Montreal Canadiens not only made the playoffs but also made a lot of noise, and the roster is still young. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have more reasons to celebrate after winning NHL awards.

The Canadiens had two power-play goals in the five games against the Hurricanes, the second coming after falling behind 5-0 in Game 5. They entered the conference final with a 25 percent success rate on the power play (13-for-52) and then went cold (2-of-13, 15.3 percent) against a team that doesn't allow many even-strength goals.

The most encouraging development for the Canadiens was that both the Caufield goal that tied it early and a pair of Juraj Slafkovský goals that put the game out of reach in the third earned five-on-five points for all three members of their top line, which had struggled to produce at even strength through two rounds.

The Montreal Canadiens advance to the Eastern Conference finals, where they’ll face the well-rested Hurricanes in a series set to open at Carolina on Thursday.

The Canadiens host the Hurricanes in Game 4 of the East Final on Wednesday

Rookie netminder Jakub Dobeš has been the lone bright spot for a team that simply has no answer for the relentless Hurricanes.

The Montreal Canadiens‘ surprising NHL playoff run may have ended in disappointment, but general manager Kent Hughes made it clear the organization will not abandon its long-term vision in pursuit of a quick fix.