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Michel Therrien appreciates ‘your concern’ about his job security, but he’s got a game to focus on

Montreal Canadiens v Buffalo Sabres

Montreal Canadiens v Buffalo Sabres

NHLI via Getty Images

Michel Therrien was asked about his job security today.

Per NHL.com, Therrien replied, “I really appreciate your concern, honestly, but I’m only thinking about” tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins.

Which is the typical head coach’s response to such a question.

But with his Montreal Canadiens on a 4-15-1 run, it’s no surprise that people are starting to wonder.

Though nobody is blaming Therrien for Carey Price’s injury, it has to be said that goaltending hasn’t been Montreal’s only problem. For whatever reason, their scorers just can’t seem to find the back of the net anymore, no matter how many shots they put on goal.

That’s led to criticism of the way Therrien has deployed his players, most notably with respect to young Alex Galchenyuk.

For example, Sportsnet’s Eric Engels believes that Galchenyuk should be given the chance to center Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher on the top line. Therrien, on the other hand, believes that Tomas Plekanec should remain the center on that line. Tonight against the B’s, Galchenyuk is expected to play left wing on the second line with David Desharnais and Dale Weise.

Speaking of Weise, the fact a guy with 34 goals in 300 career NHL games is the Canadiens’ second-line winger is why some aren’t putting this on Therrien to fix; they’re putting it on GM Marc Bergevin.

Regardless of who’s to blame, another loss tonight and the Habs could fall out of a playoff spot. Less that two months ago, their record was 19-4-3.