The Canadiens are on top of the Eastern Conference with only four losses after 22 games.

The reason might be the league's most mobile defence, and the team's emphasis on five-man rushes when on the attack.

Team Captain Max Pacioretty says the Canadiens are often able to put four players around their opponent's net.

"We knew what we had in Marky (Andrei Markov) and Subby (PK Subban) but now you add [Jeff] Petry and [Nathan] Beaulieu and both skate like the wind," said Pacioretty.

"So when they join the rush it's threatening to play against because you have to make sure that if you don't have a third man high we're going to make you pay, getting four players up in the play."

Credit goes to General Manager Marc Bergevin for choosing the players, and to coach Michel Therrien for developing a system that has players join the rush, and can pinch and hold the line.

"I believe this year they got the confidence to do it. They're doing a good job," said Therrien.

"You can't expect to score just using the forwards. The offense has to come from the back side too."

Players said this type of aggression is needed as tactics in the NHL have become increasingly defensive, and aimed at reducing chances for opponents to take shots.

The Habs have the highest total in the league for points from their defencemen, and Subban said part of that is due to the pairing of Petry and Beaulieu.

"Jeff when he came here there was a huge rally to get him to stay. The guy is a stud and he doesn't get enough credit for how he is," said Subban.

"He can be number one every night and the way he is playing it's not surprising to me that we are number one in terms of numbers from the back end."

Beaulieu agrees that the modern NHL is demanding very fast defensive players.

"Look at our back end, we're all great skaters. Look at today's game, lots of tight checking so you need to find opportunities to find open guys," said Beaulieu.

He added that as the Habs continue to play he expects their co-ordination will improve, and lead to even more chances to score.

Notes

Brendan Gallagher underwent surgery on Monday to repair two broken fingers on his left hand.

He is not expected to return to the ice for at least four weeks.

Gallagher broke his fingers blocking a shot from Johnny Boychuk of the New York Islanders.