Allo sports fans! Poor Len `ere with an update on the falling fortunes of Canada's Team (TM). It has been a tough six weeks for fans of the Montréal Canadiens. Le Tricolore came home flushed with success after a great road trip through western Canada, winning three and losing just one. Then came the Christmas break and the dreaded annual excursion to Florida (Canada's 11th province).
I say "dreaded" because the team seems to think it's a vacation, and don't exert themselves sufficiently, leaving the puck to find its own way into opponents' nets. Doesn't work. On 28 December, the Habs lost to Tampa Bay, beginning an 8-game losing streak, in which they collected just one (1) of a possible 16 points (an overtime loss to Pittsburgh). With that, they fell out of playoff contention, and left fans muttering darkly about which heads should roll.
Hopes were revived this past weekend when Les Glorieux squeaked out a 2-1 OT win over the Ottawa Senators. Carey Price was in form and was awarded the third star. Ageing superstar Ilya Kovalchuk, the team's latest acquisition (and last hope) scored the OT winner and got the first star. He has earned a place on the top line and in fans' sometimes-fickle affections.
Monday night's win over a stronger team, the Calgary Flames, was even better! Price starred in a 2-0 shutout, his 46th in a Habs uniform, typing him with Ken Dryden for third place in the list of Habs goalies with the most shutouts. (Jacques Plante is No. 2 and the all-time shutoutingest goalie is... wait for it... George Hainsworth.) The team in front of Price played well and was full value for the win.
Then came last night, a home game against the Chicago Blackhawks, which the bookies favoured the Canadiens to win. It was not to be. "Jumpy Charlie" Lindgren played goal, since Price will be needed for tonight's game vs Philthydelphia. Mistaking himself for Price, he played the puck from behind his net to Tomas Tatar, who wasn't expecting it, allowing the opponents a tap-in from about a foot out. Things just got worse after that and the final score was 4-1.
So, what now? Mathematically, Montréal still has a chance of getting into the playoffs, but I'm not betting on it, nor should you. I'm starting to hear talk that, with the playoffs out of reach, GM Marc Bergevin may be prepared to sell some assets as part of his 5-year building plan, now well into its 8th year. Names mentioned include Tatar, Jonathan Drouin and Paul Byron. The last two are on the IR, not expected to return until after the all-star break. IMHO, trading any of those guys would be a mistake. Trading Price or all-star D-man Shea Weber will be impossible because of their hyuge contracts.
If I were GM, I would try to trade a lesser light and maybe a pick or two for a reliable backup goalie. Even that isn't really necessary as Cayden Primeau is developing nicely with Laval and could be tapped for that position next season. And the team has two other rookies -- Cale Fleury and Nick Suzuki -- who are playing well and should be protected and nurtured. That leaves underachievers Jasperi Kotkaniemi and Ryan Poehling, both of whom are disappointingly mediocre, as trade bait, if Bergie feels the need to make a deal to keep his job.
In summary... I'll keep watching the Habs -- how could I not? -- but am not expecting any "miracle on ice". If the team's many injured scorers can return for part of February and March, it's possible la Sainte Flanelle could finish with a respectable record. And then... there's always next year. À la prochaine...
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