The Montreal Canadiens have consistently be near the top of the Atlantic Division. As of this writing, the Canadiens sit in third place in the division with a 23-13-6 for 52 points through 42 games. They are just two points behind the Detroit Red Wings for first place in the division.
The Canadiens need to keep it up, considering the entirety of the Eastern Conference is still in the playoff hunt. There is little leeway for them to lose ground. Luckily for the Canadiens, they figured out how to improve their defense, and it came with a no-brainer move.