Canadiens Lineup

Mike Hoffman – Nick Suzuki – Tyler Toffoli

Jonathan Drouin – Christian Dvorak – Josh Anderson

Joel Armia – Adam Brooks – Cole Caufield

Artturi Lehkonen – Cedric Paquette – Jake Evans

Ben Chiarot – Jeff Petry

Alexander Romanov – David Savard

Brett Kulak – Chris Wideman

Sam Montembeault – Jake Allen

Sami Niku

Mathieu Perreault (eye), Brendan Gallagher (undisclosed), Joel Edmundson (undisclosed), Carey Price (player assistance program), Paul Byron (hip), Mattias Norlinder (lower-body), Shea Weber (multiple injuries)

Game Report

The Montreal Canadiens are 10 games in to the 2021-22 season and they have won just twice. This year’s start to the season is the worst since the 1941-42 campaign. The excuses of the pre-season are long expired and their record can not be explained away by injuries.

This is a dysfunctional team.

The forwards should be capable of more offence. Most any group of forwards should be able to create more than the current rate of 1.90 goals per game. Not to pose an inconvenient question but isn’t this team supposed to be much better with Christian Dvorak as the second line centre?

On defence, it’s painfully obvious that without Shea Weber almost every player is in a position that is just a little beyond their capabilities. That certainly applies most to Jeff Petry. The 33-year-old Petry has been a major disappointment this season registering his first point in his 10th game.

But the most significant reason for the Canadiens collapse has been the absence of Carey Price. Without Price, the goaltending has been below average. Against Anaheim, the Canadiens gave up just three high-danger scoring chances (5v5) but still couldn’t secure the win.

A time for change

With two future Hockey Hall of Fame players out of the lineup, the holes in the lineup are apparent. Failures in development and expensive substitutes are exposed. And cracks are evident in the coaching staff.

Carey Price and Shea Weber have facilitated contract extensions for those who likely weren’t worthy. And now, with their shadows removed. the warts are on full display. 

It’s time for renewal for the Montreal Canadiens, a new but experienced face to head hockey operations and a person, a member of the top tier of NHL coaches, behind the bench.

After 10 games, Habs fans are losing interest and switching off. This should signal an opportunity to the organization for change.

Up Next

Plus

Minus

▼  Adam Brooks, Ben Chairot, Christian Dvorak, Cole Caufield, Sam Montembeault, Jeff Petry, Jonathan Drouin, Cedric Paquette

Game Preview

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