“Twas three days after Christmas and all through Montreal , not a creature was partying – noone is having a ball…
Twelve points lost and counting as the Montreal Canadiens continue to prove that Jacques Martin will not guide the team to the promise arena. How fitting is this non – winning streak as yours truly is right in the middle of pointing out Martin’s weaknesses as a coach. Les Canadiens lost the the Islanders, yes the same Islanders that are battling the Division One Pee Wee team for  bragging rights as the worst team in hockey. Once more Martin has proven his inabilty to rally the troups to a new height and not waste points.
Please Monsieur Molson , bring in Partrick Roy to coach my Habs.
Martin has let down the fans by not lighting fires under his players’ seats. He has also let down the fans by taking young talent and taking away their love for the game. Passion in Montreal ? Who needs it is what Martin appears to say.
P. K Subban started his first full year as a professional and in his first twenty – five games or so made a few mistakes. On the night that he made two mistakes in an overtime loss to Edmonton, he had seven points and was a +5. The two errors cost him a place in the line -up for three games and since his return he is not playing with the same passion as before.The team, after winning three straight with Subban out of the line – up , has suddenly jumped from the top of the Eastern Conference to one of many fighting for their play -off lives. (Please see 12 points ). Dissention has set in and here area few reasons why.
Lars Eller started the season in Montreal and in his first twenty – five games as a Canadien, he collected one assist and also made his share of rookie mistakes. Eller was never penalized for his mistakes. He has gone from the third line to the second and the fourth all season long. Not benched one game even though his productiveness was less effective for the team than P.K Subban’s was. Meanwhile, Max Pacioretty – a player that spent many games in the NHL last season was in the minors and lighting up the lamp. Game after game Eller played in Montreal while Pacioretty played in the AHL. A player in the Habs line – up cannot be stupid enough to realize that things in Martin’s head do not sum up and doubt starts to creep in. Subban was benched, Eller should have been benched as well. Subban’s ego was hurt while even Scott Gomez was allowed to not score points while becoming one of few negatives on the team. Martin sgould have sat Gomez and Eller, not P.K and brough up Pacioretty and Desharnais much earlier. If anything to send the same type of message to Gomez and Eller that he sent Subban.
Martin has a mess on his hands right now and unless someone steps in and does the right thing. The Habs may even miss the play – offs and Carey Price ‘s heroics will not mean a thing.
Tuesday December 28th – Capitals 2 Habs 0.