I wish we could go back in time a few months to when the Montreal Canadiens were the best team in the National Hockey League. Back to a time when the team had four consistently scoring lines and a defensive core that didn't need to be as good as it was in front of the legendary Carey Price. Of course, I say legendary because he took practically all of the honours that he possibly could've at the end of a stellar last season.
I wish we could go back a few months to when it was hard for me as a writer to come up with new material because the Habs were dominant on all fronts and gave it to their foes. They were feared, intimidated their opponents, and at times practically skated circles around them. Filling the net came easily for a group of players who ranked first in goals scored per game. The power play was clicking handsomely, convincing fans and members of the media everywhere that perhaps head coach Michel Therrien and his assistants had finally fixed 2014-2015's special units’ woes.
If only we could turn back the hands of time to a stretch where we mostly believed that for the first time in a few years, the Habs were so much more than just Carey Price's heroics... Where finally, losing Price to an injury wouldn't have anyone worried because the revelation named Mike Condon could get the job done.
Frankly, Condon has been great. He was stellar in last night's 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, stopping 31 of 33 shots, many of which were difficult saves. Seemingly, people are claiming that he should have been better on the second goal. I think he did what he could, and I'm usually very tough on goalies and their angle coverages.
Once again, the problem with last night's game was that the Habs were kept to a single goal for the third straight outing. The matchup was fairly even despite an over abundance of talent and skill on the reigning Stanley Cup champions' roster. The Habs put up a very respectable fight, at least in the second and third periods against a team that had won 8 in a row. Corey Crawford had to be the better goalie last night, and he stopped 39 of the 40 shots that got through to him en route to earning the game's first star. Unsurprisingly, a French Canadian goaltender dominated the Canadiens in their own barn. Therrien's three best players last night were Paul Byron, Alexei Emelin and Mike Condon.
Something is very, very wrong with your Habs.
I can no longer pretend that this is a great team. I'd be a fool to think that they're even a good one. Call me unfair and biased. Good teams find a way to bury their chances. Great teams get inside a goalie's head and intimidate their opponents. Once again, the Habs came out flat... Anyone else tired of hearing that?
Strangely, I cannot pin this on Therrien. I haven't all year, and I refuse to entertain notions of his dismissal. That would be a grave mistake. Who could possibly replace him and ensure a mostly winning record, anyway? It’s not like the players gave up on playing for him. That’s not necessarily the impression I get because their first and second efforts are there.
I think the Habs have lost any shred of confidence they once had. The type of swagger and strut in their step that is felt by all who surround the team has vanished, and they are officially a discouraged team.
I won’t dissect individual performances- this blog would be twice as long as it already is. I unfortunately cannot offer any thoughts or recommendations as to what this team needs in order to snap out of it. They’ll need to come up with a solution “yesterday…, because with 49 points and sitting in third in the Atlantic Dvision, their hopes of making the playoffs are slowly starting to run away from them…
The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils are two points behind, while the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators are lagging by only three. Philadelphia is 13th in the Eastern Conference and is only 4 points behind, despite having 3 games in hand.
This season has been on a downward spiral, and I think the bad taste left in St. Louis’ mouth from their last matchup against the Habs will have them hungry for revenge.
Check back in for a preview of Saturday night’s game!