Montreal Canadiens: Habs Best Players Must Match Their Expectations

Coming into the 2011-2012 NHL season, I thought that the Montreal Canadiens would be a solid team that would get their wins by relying on their above-average defensive game and world-class goaltender.

As early as it may be, the Habs haven't exactly subscribed to my formula for success.

The often-praised P.K. Subban and Carey Price have not been playing like they are supposed to: that is to say, like the best players on the team.

In my humble opinion, Price has been pretty average after four games. I thought he looked great during the first two he played, but his performances at home were nothing to write home about, letting four and five goals against the Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche respectively.

Price's save percentage on the season is a rather ugly .880, and his goals against average is 2.96 (a team statistic, of course, but the onus lies mostly on the backstop).

If he wants to even think about getting his name on the Vezina Trophy, Price is going to have to regain his focus as soon as possible.

We've all seen that Carey has the talent to be a franchise goaltender; that cannot be questioned. Perhaps he was anticipating a better show in front of him to start the season. It could be that the thought of such a depleted defensive corps is getting to him.

Whatever the case may be, Price needs to be better.

As for Subban, I'm confident in saying that everyone expected more than what the sophomore defenseman has exhibited up to this point.

He is a minus-3 and has registered but one assist.

It seems like he isn't comfortable and is consistently turning over the puck.

Perhaps he is trying to do too much on the ice because he feels like he has to. Hal Gill is undoubtedly lead-footed, and so Subban is covering as much ground as possible—not always successfully.

Jacques Martin paired Subban with Josh Gorges—a much better skater than Gill—in practice. If the tandem sticks (which I think it will), some pressure will be alleviated. 

Hopefully, Subban will get back into gear and avoid the dreaded "sophomore slump."

I hate to say it, but the success of the team heavily hinges on those two guys. If they both have off years, the Habs don't stand a chance. (At least not until Andrei Markov comes back, that is.)

It is early yet, though. There is plenty of time before we are forced to press the panic button.

Jason is on Twitter: Follow @jhytel