The Montreal Canadiens aren’t that far removed from their ultra-rare three-game winning streak. It just feels like it.
They were absolutely embarrassed by the Arizona Coyotes on Monday night, dropping a 6-2 defeat. It’s the second straight loss in which they’ve allowed six goals (the Buffalo Sabres beat them 6-4 on Friday).
These letdowns likely wash away most, if not all, of the good feelings from that fleeting run. The bigger picture doesn’t help their cause:
Canadiens with a season low 19 Shots on Goal vs Arizona...now 7-17-1 in last 25 games.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) February 16, 2016
It’s tough not to wonder if the Habs are tuning out Michel Therrien, even if GM Marc Bergevin gave him a vote of confidence fairly recently. At least one observer believes that Therrien deflected some blame:
Coach's way of saying this is on the players, asking them all to stay in the room to answer questions. https://t.co/amQeKHXKKF
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) February 16, 2016
The Coyotes never really needed to worry about Anders Lindback’s off-the-ice injury, as Louis Domingue was fine with his team in control. It may be a concern going forward, however.
Some might cling to playoff hopes for the Canadiens, yet beyond the Therrien question, there’s a tough call to make perhaps even sooner: should the Habs be sellers at the trade deadline?