Montreal Canadiens reach a new low on TSN's Power Rankings

We knew the Montreal Canadiens season wasn't going how anyone expected. The Habs believed they'd be in the playoff mix this season, and their days of competing for a top draft pick were over. There was no way to think that the Canadiens would fall so far that they'd be considered worse than the San Jose Sharks or Anaheim Ducks this season. However, with the newest TSN Power Rankings dropping, the Canadiens have reached a new low that won't make many fans happy.

The Score was a little more kind to the Habs. They ranked the Canadiens 29th in this week's power rankings. The publication said, "Lack of confidence. Martin St. Louis said his Canadiens threw up all over themselves after their 6-3 loss to the Capitals on Halloween. Confident teams don't do that. The Habs are a young squad, and this season will drag if they don't get some swagger back." The Canadiens went from 27th last week to 29th this week.

TSN uses a more advanced analytical approach when picking its power rankings. Its table includes the average goal differential and expected goal differential, which is why the Canadiens ranked last in this week's edition.

"Yes, the Montreal Canadiens are down seven spots from 26th to last in our Power Rankings. The Habs have the worst goal differential per game in the league and sit 30th in expected goal differential. Montreal continues to struggle defensively, ranking 31st in high-danger chances against, cycle chances against, expected goals against, and goals against. Until improvements are made on the defensive side, it will be tough for this Habs team to string wins together."

The Canadiens have been a disappointment this season, but falling below the Sharks in an advanced analytic power rankings is ugly. There should be no team worse than San Jose this season, and the front office and coaching staff must be running out of answers for their defensive problems. Unfortunately, the front office's last answer could be changing the coaching staff.