1) That was a farcical display by the Canadiens last night, but there's nothing funny about their start to this season.
Between the coaching, the special teams, the inconsistency in nets, the injuries, the disappointment Erik Cole, P.K. Subban and Scott Gomez have provided thus far, the inexperience on the blue line and the team's losing to Toronto, Colorado and Calgary,
you may as well laugh because it sure beats crying.
2) As for the notion that Kirk Muller's absence is the reason behind the Canadiens poor start, get off of it. It's not my intention to diminish Muller's role in their marginal success over the last two seasons, but he's not the sole reason they won or lost on any given night.
Execution is largely to blame for all of it, and in the same breath, it's what deserves credit when they win games.
There's been no evidence to suggest Martin's lost this team without Muller, other than the theories angry fans have put forth since Muller left the franchise.
Also, ask the players who have played for Cunneyworth and Ladouceur how happy they are to have them in Montreal this season. All of them have great respect for the duo, both of whom have proven records in professional hockey.
3) It's a bad start. A terrible one. But two years ago, the Canadiens won their first two games and then lost the next
five. They made it to the Conference Finals.
Last season, they went 7-2-1 to start the year and lost to the Bruins in the first round from the 6th spot. And for the final third of the season, they were a .500 hockey team.
4) Will their regular season push face that much more resistance because of this start? Absolutely.
Does it mean they won't be a playoff threat-- if they even make it there? That's one thing we won't speculate on at this juncture of the season.
5) These trying times are the ones when your captain, and the other appointed leaders, step to the forefront and control the bleeding.
I can't guarantee the Canadiens will snap out of their funk against Toronto, with an authoritative win--no less, but I have a feeling Brian Gionta will be among the best players on the ice Saturday.
6) If you want Erik Cole to be better; if you want him to contribute, he needs to play more than 13:47.
ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVIS MOEN IS PLAYING 14:49!
Add that to Darche being in his spot on the powerplay and that has to be one frustrated incumbent.
7) You know things are bad when people are excited about Gomez missing games due to an injury. You know they're bad when people are hoping LTIR comes into play in his case.
You know things are worse when the team doesn't have a single player who can replace what Gomez is supposed to do for the Canadiens.
David Desharnais been good so far, but is he consistent enough to do it?
Lars Eller has graduated from the level of play we saw from him last year, but will he find some resolve to finish plays he's creating?
8) He isn't the reason they're losing, but Andreas Engqvist has no business on this team. That's clear to see for anyone watching. He can't do a single thing at NHL-speed.
9) Mark Streit missed a whole season, and through five games he has four assists, is +2, and hasn't played under 20 minutes in any of them.
People will expect equitable performance from Andrei Markov when he returns. How will he manage after two seasons of barely playing?
10) Tomas Plekanec is better than what's he's shown so far. He'll play with Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta for at least one shift on Saturday. Let's see if they give the coach incentive to keep them together for a game.
Desharnais has Cole and Pacioretty to work with, and Eller and Kostitsyn will try to rekindle their chemistry with Travis Moen.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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