Canadiens Lineup

Jonathan Drouin – Max Domi – Joel Armia 

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Artturi Lehkonen – Jesperi Kotkaniemi –  Paul Byron

Kenny Agostino – Michael Chaput – Nicolas Deslauriers

Victor Mete – Shea Weber

Mike Reilly – Jeff Petry

Brett Kulak – Jordie Benn

Carey Price – Antti Niemi

Charles Hudon, Karl Alzner, Matthew Peca 

Andrew Shaw

Game Report

While special teams have struggled, the Canadiens bread and butter since the beginning of the season has been their even strength scoring. Yet, with Carey Price carrying the load in December, effort level of the skaters started to dip and scoring started to dry up.

Since the calendar flipped to 2019, the Canadiens have scored just three goals total in three games played. It’s only due to goaltending that Montreal has a win at all.

Individually, Habs leading point-getter Max Domi has not scored in his last 13  games. Brendan Gallagher has not scored in eight. Setting aside empty-netters, Jonathan Drouin has just two goals in his past 19 games going back to the end of November.

It’s understandable when sticks go cold. But it is an entirely different thing when the effort is not there.

TSN radio and TV commentators Sergio Momesso and Dave Poulin both lit into Jonathan Drouin for his lazy and disinterested play over the past several weeks.

The Athletic’s Arpon Basu questioned Max Domi’s priorities at a time when the Canadiens badly needed a goal with a sarcastic tweet.

The Canadiens managed his two high danger scoring chances all night. The Wild had five times that number for Price to handle.

In the second half of the season, the Habs will need to rely on players who are willing to go to the mat for their teammates. Unfortunately, Claude Julien has encouraged a country club mentality among some by not demanding accountability.

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In his post-game presser, Claude Julien announced that Shea Weber will travel with the team to Detroit. Weber was examined and there was no fracture after taking a puck to the face. Julien said that he assumes that Weber will play tomorrow night but cannot confirm it at this time.

Plus / Minus

▲  Carey Price 

▼  Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi, Mike Reilly, Jordie Benn, Jeff Petry