Lost in the Wild: Montreal Canadiens Look Lifeless in Loss to Minnesota Wild

The Montreal Canadiens should be ashamed of the effort they put forth last night. You would have thought that they would come out of the gates strong in the memory of former captain and legend Jean Beliveau. What us fans received was anything but strong… let’s take a look at what transpired.

Dec 3, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker (16) celebrates his goal during the first period against the Los Angeles Kings at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s be brutally honest. The Habs only decided to show up in the 3rd period, and the only reason the score was 2-0 was because Carey Price was the only player who seemed to give a damn. The 2 goals against Price were horribly fluky but those things happen for teams who are pushing the pace and controlling the entire game. Once again letting the opposing team to score in the first period with no reply, that is 100% on Therrien to get his team up for the game. That is an area where he has failed completely.

I play hockey as a goaltender, and I’m no Price, but every goalie has had those kind of goals that just go in because the shot bounced up then back down your back. They don’t happen often, but they hurt your ego way more than a player making a great deke making you look silly. The second goal by Jason Pomenville could have been ruled a no goal had the refs been watching the shot. He actually ducked and it hit his stick in the air and it caromed into the top of the net. These aren’t goals you fault your goalie for, these are the kind of goals that your team should get back for you.

The Wild went 0 for 5 on the powerplay, while the Habs went 0 for 1

If there was a silver lining last night it was the penalty kill. The Wild received 5 powerplays, included a 5 on 3 and a 5 minute major, but went 0 for 5 on the night. The Habs actually didn’t allow a single shot on the 5 on3 and again blanked the Wild on their 5 minute major in the 3rd. How is it the team can muster some gumption on the penaltykill but not 5 on 5? The Habs meanwhile would go 0 for 1 on the powerplay but on this night I’ll give them the win on special teams because of their penatlykillers.

I would assume that Eric Tangradi is going to be hearing from the director of player safety before the Habs next game after his check from behind in the 3rd period. I didn’t really get a good look at the play, but when you get 5 and then 10 minutes it generally means you’re going to be suspended for a few games. I’m all for taking bad hits out of the game, so if he gets a couple of games I’m okay with that.

Dec 3, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Christian Folin (5) is checked into the boards by Montreal Canadiens forward Eric Tangradi (not pictured) who receives a boarding penalty and game misconduct for the incident during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild win 2-1 over the Canadiens. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Here are the players I want to single out after last night debacle;

• Carey Price – If not for 2 really unlucky bounces his play was the only reason the Habs were even in the game.
• David Deharnais – How is he still the 1st line center? Picked up a point on Galchenyuk’s goal, but he’s not getting results worthy of the spot he’s currently occupying.
• Dale Weise – Put up a team high 4 shots on goal, and 3 were in the first 2 periods. Should he have been on the 1st line at times? No. But at least he was trying.

Therrien mixed up his lines a little last night, with zero results. His inability to separate David Deharnais and Max Pacioretty is completely absurd. Max should be playing with Tomas Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk on the team’s 1st line at this point. Pacioretty and Plekanec have shown some real compatibility together on the penaltykill, and Galchenyuk already has chemistry with Plekanec. Why not try this lethal combo out for a few games. Lars Eller is deserving of more ice time with his improved play and some wingers with skill to go along with it. How about putting Jiri Sekac and P.A. Parenteau with him and see what happens. David Deharnais can play on the 3rd line with Pusst and Gallagher until one of them begins to really produce.

Dec 3, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Montreal Canadiens forward David Desharnais (51) reacts to the goal by Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville (29) during the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

My final thought was that this debacle is on him. On a night where they should have honored the memory of Jean Beliveau with a performance worthy of the great #4, they instead came out flat for not one but two full periods! Kudos on the Wild for the great pregame tribute to Jean, and for their team for playing the game the way it was meant to be played.

Thanks for reading.