The Montreal Canadiens were one of the league's top teams for two months and were slowly rising in most publications' power rankings. It was challenging to understand why the sites weren't giving the team more respect, but after their recent stretch, it might show that the publications were correct. The Canadiens doubters at TSN are out in full effect after their five-game losing streak, as they are now 30th. It comes a week after being 26th.
"Lastly, the shine has worn off the Montreal Canadiens, who fall from 26th to 30th this week. Montreal went through a five-week stretch where it posted the best record in the NHL. The Habs have now lost five straight games and sit six points out of a playoff spot in the East," the article stated. "Scoring has been a main culprit for the teams' sudden tailspin, as the Canadiens are averaging 1.6 goals per game during their losing streak. Montreal has a chance to get back in the win column Tuesday night in San Jose against the last-place Sharks."
It's the lowest the Canadiens have been since the site made them last in November. Their 32nd ranking for first week of November was the start of the team's special run where they had the third-best winning percentage over a two month span. The Canadiens had plenty of ground to make up, but the belief was that they'd be competing for a playoff spot for the rest of the season.
The issue is that when you start as poorly as the Canadiens did, you can't afford to have another poor stretch for the rest of the season. That is the result for the Canadiens, as they've nearly given away all the progreess they made over those two months. With wins from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers in their next games, the Canadiens could find themselves in second-last in the Eastern Conference.
The time has likely ran out on the Canadiens' hopes of making a playoff push. Their poor stretch comes at a terrible time for anyone hoping they'd attempt to make a run, as the trade deadline is quickly approaching and they have some moveable assets. The losing streak has made the decision easy for Kent Hughes and co., the Habs will likely be sellers at the trade deadline.