Here we are. We've reached the final week of what was shaping up to be glorious redemption for the Montreal Canadiens. Hard to imagine 40 games of hard work could be completely undone by five games of atrocious hockey, but that's a perceived reality for most fans of the team right now.
No one can argue with the fact that Carey Price has been subpar over the last five games; that the great chemistry and balance of the blueline has been completely dismantled by Alexei Emelin's season-ending injury; that the clinching of a playoff berth stimulated a dramatic drop in the team's work ethic and desire; that bad habits have prevailed over this terrible stretch of games.
You may not appreciate this outlook, or may consider it unrealistic, but I'm of the opinion that even in the face of such adversity, this team deserves the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their ability to redeem themselves. It was evident through 40 games of dominant hockey that they have the balance, the chemistry, and most importantly--the character to climb out of the hole they've been digging. I still believe they have what it takes to be prepared for the playoff run most were expecting before losing reared its ugly head.
Obviously, time is waning.
It won't be easy. Yesterday's unscheduled practice after five games in eight nights couldn't have been easy, but it was necessary. It'll be necessary for the Habs to put their work boots on and concentrate on the details that will have them return to form.
Saturday's game was a whole lot of ugly, starting with the two goals that put the Canadiens out of it in the first period, culminating in a flat second period and a listless third. They didn't look like a team that wanted to fight its way out of the mess they found themselves in. They looked defeated and dejected--hardly synonymous with the character Bergevin and Therrien expect from this team on a nightly basis.
That said, they may have bottomed out against Washington. It was a terrible time to do it--the last home game of the season, on fan appreciation night no less--but that's the way it went. And though you'd think the comfort of home would enable them to find what they need right now, hitting the road to close out the season might be the best thing for them.
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As cliche as it may be, the road affords them with the opportunity to really come together. The comfort of home can't be considered the best thing for a team that's appeared to be way too comfortable since achieving their goal of making the playoffs. And the spacing of games in this final week gives them some time to practice, and while Gorges wasn't looking to use their lack of practice time as an excuse, it's fairly evident they desperately need the work.
The challenge begins in New Jersey, where the Canadiens will match up against a Devils team freshly eliminated from post-season contention. They could be the ideal opponent for the Habs--if they are in fact depressed about failing to make the playoffs a year after making it to the Stanley Cup Finals. They could also be Montreal's worst nightmare, with a track record of being hard to play against at home--particularly for the Canadiens--and as a loose team with nothing to lose.
The game against Winnipeg Thursday figures to be among the hardest ones the Canadiens will play this season. Montreal draws an opponent starving for the post-season; inches from punching their ticket to what would surely be playoff chaos. At least that's where the Jets stand today, three points from the New York Rangers and Islanders. A lot can change between now and Thursday.
And then, the final test of the season, in Toronto against a Leafs team the Canadiens have been embarrassed by more than once.
The truth is, if the Habs redeem themselves and prove to be playoff ready, it'll be because they treated each one of these opponents with disregard. The Habs have succeeded this far by dictating play--something they've failed to do over the last five games. But they were great at it for most of the 40 that came before this ugly stint.
With the talent he possesses, Carey Price can never be too far from playing his best hockey. With a few games under his belt, Raphael Diaz could do a lot to restore the chemistry and balance the blueline's been missing with Emelin on the shelf. And the effort and attitude of the team is well within their control.
Can they bring it all together over this final week to complete the remarkable story of their season?
I believe they can.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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