Canadiens have quietly been one of the NHL's top teams

The Montreal Canadiens have been one of the NHL's top five teams for the past year, since the return from the Four Nations Face-Off break. This is not an opinion; it is a fact.

The Montreal market is one of the most demanding in the entire NHL, if not the most demanding. The fans always want more, and that is what makes this city so special. However, when looking at what the team has managed to accomplish over the past year, it is clear they are much better than some might think.

Before Wednesday night's game against the Winnipeg Jets, the Habs had played 82 games since the return from the Four Nations break, the equivalent of a full season. In that period, the Canadiens have been one of the best franchises in the league.

What is more notable is that other top teams are being led by seasoned veterans, the complete opposite of the Canadiens, who rely on one of the league's youngest lineups.

Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson provide elite-level offense

The reasons for the team's success since the return from the break last year are numerous. A significant share of the credit can be placed on the production of the team's top players. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson, the three offensive pillars for the Canadiens, are producing at an elite rate.

Including the game against Winnipeg, here is the production of those three players over the last 83 games:

1. Nick Suzuki: 106 points
2. Lane Hutson: 83 points
3. Cole Caufield: 78 points (including 43 goals)

It could also be noted that Noah Dobson, who was not with the Canadiens at the end of last season, recorded 53 points over that same period. This production from the top offensive duo at forward and on defense has no choice but to impact the team's overall performance.

This will be the key question, and the answer must be yes if the Canadiens want to continue to stay in the playoff picture. The Atlantic Division is without a doubt the most competitive in the NHL, and any dip in performance, however slight, could make the difference in the end.

Last season, the Canadiens maintained the second-best record in their division after the return from the Four Nations break and will need to show that same consistency this year after the Olympic break.

To do that, the top players must continue to produce, the team must obviously stay healthy, and the goaltenders must do their job.