Friday Habs Headlines: New players and new system breathe life into this year’s Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Some new personnel and a new system have the Canadiens looking much different this year. [Montreal Gazette]
• At the mid-point of the season, the Canadiens are among the league’s best at controlling the play. [The Athletic]
• Carey Price’s save percentage has been fourth-best in the league among regular starters after the return of Shea Weber. Is the netminder having a midseason renaissance or is his captain the cause? [The Athletic]
• Alexander Romanov reacts after defeating Slovakia to advance to a semi-final showdown against Team USA. [KHL.en]
• It’s not the outcome Jacob Olofsson hoped for, but the Habs prospect and Team Sweden forward would like to thank all the fans for their support.

• Ann-Sophie Bettez and Marie-Philip Poulin have lit up the CWHL so far this year.

Around the league and elsewhere

• Translating hockey to other languages is never easy, and the task is especially hard when the language doesn’t have it’s own established hockey terminology. A look at three Spanish commentators looking to bring the game to a new audience. [ESPN]
• Opponents may focus on Alex Ovechkin, but it’s scoring depth makes the Washington Capitals dangerous. [TSN]
• The New Jersey Devils have extended the contract of head coach John Hynes. [TSN]
• The hateful comments launched at Max Comtois following Canada’s defeat to Finland at the World Junior Championships are not the first to be projected at an athlete representing the province of Quebec in some capacity. [Journal de Montreal]
• Celebrate women in hockey at the Hockey is Her event on January 9.