The Montreal Canadiens lost 5-1 to the Nashville Predators last night in what has been a recurring theme - the Canadiens inability to score goals and receive timely goaltending. I am not putting the blame on Dustin Tokarski and Mike Condon for the Canadiens woes. However, the Canadiens are simply not getting the big saves from the duo and the goals allowed seem to come at the most inopportune times. The opposition is scoring on their few quality chances and unfortunately the Canadiens skaters cannot get past their mental hurdle of burying the puck.
The Canadiens are saying all the right things, the team is doing their best to stick together and weather the storm. It is hard to imagine that they will be able to right the ship tonight though as they face the Minnesota Wild. The joy of winning is long gone. Perhaps over these holidays, the players need to simply remember the joy of playing hockey. To find a way to make it fun again. If it were not for the Holiday break, I would suggest that head coach Michel Therrien brings out the old baseball hockey practice to keep things light.
Many are calling out the coach for the Canadiens slump. However he can’t put the puck in the net for his players. I may disagree with his lines but it is not to the point of saying that Therrien needs to go. The Canadiens are getting chances, they’re outshooting their opponents and are trying to get to the dirty areas to get something going. Therrien needs a fair chance once he has a healthy lineup before throwing in the towel. Every team goes through a slump, some worse than others. December can’t end soon enough for the Canadiens and hopefully the new year will reverse the Canadiens fortunes....
Unfortunately Daniel Carr’s goal last night was waived off due to Nashville winning their coach’s challenge on goaltender interference. Alex Galchenyuk got slightly tangled up with Pekka Rinne when he was pushed by Shea Weber. Did it directly cause Rinne the inability to make the save? I don’t believe that enough contact was there to warrant the call being overturned but that is my personal opinion. There is no consistency to how this is being called and ruled. I sincerely hope that the NHL will find a way to create less of a gray area and the sooner this happens the better it will be for all teams.
Alex Galchenyuk was far and away the best forward for the Canadiens last night. He came to play with 7 shots and numerous scoring chances to go with his one timer of a beauty. Max Pacioretty had a more difficult game, especially after calling himself out after the Dallas game. He is not going to make a difference with only one shot on net. I sincerely hope that we have seen the last of the Pacioretty-Desharnais-Weise line whom were a combined -6 in Nashville… Of the 3 last night, Desharnais was probably the best performer on the line as he created quality chances for himself.
There is no morning skate today in Minnesota so any lineup changes will only be announced later in the afternoon, including an update on defenceman Jeff Petry who missed last night’s tilt. Jarred Tinordi had an okay season debut but finished the night -3 playing with Tom Gilbert. If Petry is not able to go once again it will be interesting to see if Therrien gives Tinordi another chance against the Wild or if Greg Pateryn will be inserted into the lineup.
My top 9 for the Canadiens would be either:
Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Carr Eller-Plekanec-Andrighetto Fleischmann-Desharnais-McCarron
Or:
Pacioretty-Plekanec-Carr Eller-Galchenyuk-Andrighetto Fleischmann-Desharnais-McCarron
The 4th line could be any combination of:
Smith-Pelly/Flynn-Mitchell-Weise/Byron
Weise has been struggling of late and McCarron’s net presence would be a welcome addition to the duo. The Canadiens need offence and Andrighetto has to be given a chance again. Carr has been one of the few bright spots for the Canadiens through this slump and it is time to reward him with a real opportunity in the top 6.
5 Questions for Tonight's Game:
1) Will Mike Condon be able to regain his early season form tonight against the Wild?
2) Last night the Canadiens powerplay had 4 forwards and 1 defenceman or 3 forwards and 1 defenceman on the first wave. Do you agree or disagree with this strategy?
3) Who would you rather play if Petry cannot go tonight, Tinordi or Pateryn?
4) Which of Subban, Desharnais and Plekanec will break out of their slump and score first?
5) Can the Canadiens turn it around so soon tonight against the Wild?
Puck drops at 8pm tonight.
Habs are then off until December 26th when they continue part two of the holiday road trip against the Washington Capitals.
Cheers & Enjoy the Game! Follow @Jenbcutler