Montreal Canadiens: 3 Things That Need to be Fixed Now
The Montreal Canadiens have had a multitude of struggles to start their season. However, there are three that stick out as the most important. Here’s what they need to fix.
The last two seasons, the Montreal Canadiens were graced with excellent starts. Those included 8-0-0 and 7-0-1. While it’s not expected to repeat such amazing starts, the team still has high expectations for themselves for the rest of the season.
After being eliminated in six games in the first round of the 2017 Playoffs by the New York Rangers last season, they knew changes had to be made. However, their offseason hasn’t seemed to help them much (at least yet) this season.
The Canadiens now find themselves in a difficult position, and more importantly, in a hole they must dig themselves out of soon. Ten games into the season, they currently have more questions than answers. However, it’s not too late to figure things out.
Here’s three things the Canadiens must change in order to turn their season around.
1. The Lack of Scoring
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When Montreal’s season started, they only scored four goals through three games, including being shutout once by the Rangers. Against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they scored three goals but still lost 4-3 in overtime.
After that, things continued to spiral downhill. After that game against Toronto, the Canadiens haven’t been able to score more than two goals per game.
And it’s not due to lack of talent. Players such as Max Pacioretty, Phillip Danault, and Jonathan Drouin have the ability to bring this team up in the standings.
The question is whether or not they will step up their game and help the Canadiens score. If this team wants to be good again, this is the first problem they’ll need to fix.
2.) The Defensive Breakdowns
On the flip side of the lack of scoring is the fact that they’re making other teams have goal-fests.
After the game against Toronto, they have consistently let up five or more goals in every game. (Their only win so far is against the Florida Panthers, who they beat 5-1.)
When players enter their zone, they crowd to the corners and leave too much space in front of the net. At some point, they’re going to need to change their organizational style in order for them to let up less goals.
3.) The Play of Carey Price
Price, the star of the Canadiens for a good number of seasons, has seemingly had a slower start than usual. To go back for a minute, it’s entirely possible that a majority of the reason for his less than stellar play is the defense.
However, it’s not all their fault. Price simply hasn’t been his usual self. He’s never been a slow starter, and there’s no reason this season should be the exception to that.
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Once he finds his game again, the Canadiens will have more confidence. Once they have confidence, they will realize they have a good enough roster to play much better than they have been.