Will injuries to key players derail the Habs dream season?

With captain Saku Koivu (foot) and hard-hitting defenceman Mike Komisarek (hip) still doubtful for the start of the playoffs, one wonders how the team will fare. Everyone remembers how the team folded two years ago when Koivu went down to an eye injury against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Habs ended up losing in six games after winning the first two matches then, with the 'Canes eventually going on to win the Cup.

This year's version of the Habs is not a typical built-for-the-playoffs team, lacking everything from toughness, a power forward, a real shutdown defensive forward line, and many playoff veterans, like they had with their 1986 and 1993 Cup-winning teams. Mind you, those two champions also received key contributions from rookies and young players in their remarkable playoff runs.

Although the Habs only have the enigmatic Alex Kovalev averaging at least a point a game (35-48-83), they have actually scored 256 goals, the top total in the NHL going into Wednesday night's games. Since their attack is so balanced, Koivu's absence will not be a factor in the first round, especially if they end up facing a team — like Boston —with questionable goaltending. However, if the captain and/or Komisarek are still out after the first round, that's another thing. Koivu's faceoff skills will be missed, but that hasn't been one of the team's strong points all season and they still have managed well enough to record their first 100-point season since 1992-1993.

With two games remaining, Thursday against the Sabres and Saturday verse the Leafs, all Habs fans can hope is that the injury bug doesn't spread because this team can skate and pass their way into the finals — with some lucky bounces and a Patrick-Roy-like performance from rising star Carey Price.