As they struggle through a tough January schedule, have the Canadiens hit a wall in their pursuit of a playoff spot?
That’s the main question answered on this week’s Hockey Inside/Out show as The Gazette’s Stu Cowan is joined by former Canadiens defenceman and 1986 Stanley Cup champion Rick Green and Gazette columnist Jack Todd.
Tuesday night’s 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell Centre was the third straight defeat for the Canadiens (0-2-1), but they remain two points out of a wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens also suffered a blow when defenceman Kaiden Guhle had to leave the game in the third period with what appeared to be a knee injury.
Head coach Martin St. Louis has cancelled some practices recently and made morning skates optional to help his players conserve energy. Was that the correct decision?
Also, was St. Louis right to start Samuel Montembeault start in goal against the Jets instead of Jakub Dobes and mix up his top two defence pairings?
Let us know what you think in the comments section below.