A 2-10-0 record in December has cost the Montreal Canadiens top spot in the Atlantic Division.
The Detroit Red Wings leapfrogged the Habs on Saturday with a 3-2 win in Nashville.
And there could be another lead change today, which could finish with either the Bruins (who play in Ottawa) or Panthers (who host Columbus) on top.
Here’s how the standings look as of this morning:
Here’s how they looked at the beginning of the month:
The Canadiens held a players-only meeting after yesterday’s 3-1 loss to Washington.
“It’s a matter of will,” coach Michel Therrien told the Montreal Gazette. “We need guys who are willing to go to the dirty areas. We have one guy who’s doing that and he (Daniel Carr) scored a goal tonight.”
In a related story, the Habs could really use winger Brendan Gallagher. It’s possible they could get him back for the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day against the Bruins, but he’s only just been cleared to handle the puck after having hand surgery in November.