Canadiens Lineup

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Max Domi – Nick Suzuki – Joel Armia

Artturi Lehkonen – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Jordan Weal

Charles Hudon – Nate Thompson – Nick Cousins

Ben Chiarot – Shea Weber

Victor Mete – Jeff Petry

Brett Kulak – Cale Fleury

Carey Price – Keith Kinkaid

Christian Folin, Mike Reilly

Paul Byron, Jonathan Drouin

Game Report

This is the soft part of the Canadiens schedule. The part when they are supposed to be stockpiling points. In five days, Montreal has lost three games.

Ottawa, Columbus and New Jersey find themselves near the bottom of the standings. But the Habs managed to earn just two of a possible six points.

Let’s set aside the injury excuse. Paul Byron has struggled all season and Jonathan Drouin’s offence dried up as the calendar changed from October to November. For a team built on a balanced lineup, and Marc Bergevin’s claims of roster depth, Montreal should be able to absorb such losses.

But there are issues that have been concerning this season. Montreal has the 31st ranked penalty-kill in the NHL. That statistic and a playoff team are simply not compatible. 

The Canadiens penalty-kill was tested early, allowing just one shot on goal by Ottawa when Victor Mete was assessed a four minute minor in the first period. But the Senators have the worst ranked power-play in the league.

Phillip Danault and Nate Thompson must be better while the Habs are shorthanded. Or the coaching staff should put others in their place. In October, Claude Julien promised that it was on his fix-it list but fans are still waiting.

Danault and Thompson enjoy the status as two of the most overhyped members of the Canadiens. Some are even promoting Danault as a contender for the Selke Trophy. But when is the last time that a defensive forward won the award while piloting the worst penalty-kill in the league?

The Canadiens face yet another team near the bottom of the standings in their next contest. Montreal will host the New York Rangers at the Bell Centre on Saturday. 

Plus / Minus

▲  Carey Price, Shea Weber

▼  Brett Kulak, Nick Cousins