Canadiens Lineup

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Artturi Lehkonen – Max Domi – Andrew Shaw

Jonathan Drouin – Jordan Weal – Joel Armia

Jesperi Kotkaniemi  – Nate Thompson – Paul Byron

Victor Mete – Shea Weber

Brett Kulak – Jeff Petry

Jordie Benn – Christian Folin

Carey Price – Antti Niemi

Charles Hudon, Dale Weise, Mike Reilly, Charlie Lindgren, Matthew Peca, Nicolas Deslauriers, Ryan Poehling

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Game Report

The fat lady is in the on-deck circle as the Canadiens playoff hopes are on life support. 

With a loss tonight to the Capitals, Montreal has chosen to put their fate in the hands of the 26th and 31st placed teams in the NHL. To make the playoffs, the Canadiens, Rangers and Senators must each win their next game. That’s the simplest scenario.

It comes down to Montreal earning more points in their single game than the Blue Jackets earn in their remaining two games. With respect to Carolina, the Hurricanes have clinched a playoff spot with a 3-1 win over the Devils. 

So while a chance remains, the odds are extremely thin. 

“We’re not dead. We need some help,” said Claude Julien. “We understand that.”

Carey Price was the only reason that the Canadiens had a chance to be in the game. Price made one spectacular save after another on Brett Connolly, Jakub Vrana, John Carlson, Tom Wilson and Alex Ovechkin. 

Remember that silly little narrative that Marc Bergevin was peddling? The general manager claimed that he had assembled a team that did not rely on goaltending. Tonight the final nail was put in the coffin of that fake news. 

The analysis was simple tonight. Once again, the Canadiens failed to generate enough offence. And Claude Julien’s precious fourth line was dominated by the Capitals. It was Nate Thompson and Paul Byron who were at fault in this game.

Following the loss, the Habs players understand their situation. So do fans. Trending on Twitter after the game was the hashtag #IsItOctoberYet.

Plus / Minus

▲  Carey Price, Artturi Lehkonen, Jeff Petry, Shea Weber

▼  Jonathan Drouin, Nate Thompson, Paul Byron, Christian Folin