MONTREAL - Nick Suzuki’s expectations haven’t changed.

The Montreal Canadiens captain predicted his team could make the playoffs last season when few outside the organization believed it.

Now, with pressure mounting ahead of the new campaign, Suzuki is doubling down.

"My goal is to make the playoffs," he said when training camp opened last month. "I said that last year and no one really took it that seriously, but I think as a group we really see ourselves there again."

The Canadiens exceeded expectations last season. The question now is whether they can live up to them.

After reaching the playoffs for the first time in four years, Montreal is no longer the underdog. And on paper, the Canadiens look well-positioned for a return.

Montreal’s hockey brass injected more energy into an al

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