For the Montreal Canadiens, it was a weekend they would like to forget as it comprised of disappointing games and losses to the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames. Coming off of their overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres last Wednesday, there was hope that the Canadiens would at least demonstrate some effort and push-back in their remaining games. Canadiens fans are pretty much expecting a loss with their team’s depleted lineup. However, if the players are unable to get up for their games, it is hard to expect the fans to show up and cheer for the team, be it at the Bell Centre or watching on television.
Canadiens players are dropping like flies but that is not an excuse for the leadership and regular players to stop giving it their all. The losses this past weekend cannot be pinned on the inexperienced youngsters. When you give up three shorthanded goals against the Ottawa Senators with your best players on the ice, it does not bode well for the rest of the team. Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk, Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Markov were a collective -18 over the two weekend games. That is not acceptable for your best players and supposed leaders. They should be setting an example for the remainder of these meaningless games and not looking like they can’t wait to get out of town. I am sure that the constant losing is mentally taxing on the players. However, they are paid professionals and must be held accountable.
It is obvious that the Canadiens are missing their true leader of Carey Price on and off the ice. It certainly makes it even harder with their heart of the team, Brendan Gallagher still injured not to mention missing P.K. Subban, the player who much of their offence runs through on the sidelines as well. With a player getting injured in just about each passing game, it is simply impossible to replace everybody. Even the replacements are getting injured. Against the Calgary Flames, the Canadiens injured list looked like:
G - Carey Price D - P.K. Subban, Jeff Petry, Tom Gilbert, Mark Barberio, Victor Bartley F - Brendan Gallagher, David Desharnais, Daniel Carr, Sven Andrighetto, Brian Flynn
Paul Byron was promoted to play on the top line with Galchenyuk and Pacioretty due to Andrighetto’s injury. The extend of his injury is not known but he took two very hard hits on Saturday from Senators defenceman Dion Phaneuf. Byron, who has been very useful as a 3rd/4th line player this season, is playing out of his element these past 5+ games on the top two lines. He contributed a lucky overtime goal against Buffalo which did not even register as a shot since the puck was deflected in. The right wing depth on the Canadiens is so weak that Byron was supposedly the best option. I know the Canadiens prefer Michael McCarron as a center, but for the good of the team they should try him at his natural RW position to get through a few more games until Gallagher can hopefully return. Or at this point I would have more confidence in the Canadiens scoring ability if the Canadiens called up Charles Hudon and Bud Holloway and played them with McCarron. Plekanec has not scored in 17 games and what is more troubling is his level of effort. He is going through the motions and making mental mistakes that we are not used to seeing from him.
Speaking of McCarron, he was the lone bright spot for the Canadiens during Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Flames. McCarron scored his 1st career NHL goal as he deflected in Nathan Beaulieu’s shot from the point. The crowd, or rather those who had not already fled the game, roared in appreciation for McCarron, finally having something to cheer for. McCarron could very well have a long career scoring goals like that while screening opposing goalies with his big frame.
There are now 9 games remaining on the schedule for the Montreal Canadiens. Fans are not expecting much and most will be happy if losing gets the team a better chance at drafting an impact player capable of helping sooner rather than later. However, is effort & entertainment too much to ask for?
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