Bergevin: There were no easy nights in the North Division

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T. Tadi
June 13, 2021 (8:51 PM)

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Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin isn't buying the idea that the North Division was easy to play in.

"There was not an easy night in our division," Bergevin said Saturday, per Sportsnet. "Like I said, travel was hard. Even the last-place team, or close to the last-place team, the Ottawa Senators, they finished pretty strong, and if it wasn't for their start they'd probably be battling for a playoff spot."

He added, "Plus, hockey in Canada, you're in the spotlight every night. So it was a tough division and hockey was at its best. Every team almost had superstars, and it was not easy."

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the NHL rearranged its divisions for the 2020-21 season. The league was compelled to develop a seven-team all-Canadian division as a result of the closure of the Canada-US border.

Throughout the year, the division was chastised for not being as competitive as the other three. The fact that the Canadiens made the playoffs despite finishing 18th in the league's overall standings has been cited by some.

The division produced a number of top performances this season. Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers led the league with 105 points, while Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs won the "Rocket" Richard Trophy with 41 goals. McDavid, Matthews, Leon Draisaitl, Mitch Marner, and Mark Scheifele were five of the top ten scorers from the North.

After defeating the Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets in the first two rounds, the Canadiens are the last team standing in the North. On Monday night, the team will begin its third-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Credit: TheScore