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Saturday, November 6, 1999
Canadiens desperate for a lift
Everyone knew things were bad, but no one was prepared for the level of depression so clearly evident in the Montreal Canadiens dressing room.
Winless in their last seven, last in the Eastern Conference with a 3-10-1-1 record and faced with an injury list that's not expected to get any better anytime soon -- it doesn't make for the best work environment.
Coming off a 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday night, Canadiens coach Alain Vigneault rallied his troops yesterday afternoon in an effort to help them realize there's light at the end of the tunnel.
"It's major adversity, it's very challenging," he said. "We as a group, players and coaches, have to find a way to win some games. That's the only way you can have fun in this game is to win and we're desperately looking for solutions."
Trevor Linden, acquired by Montreal last May, says the best thing the team can do is keep things in perspective.
"We're only four points out of a playoff spot," Linden said. "We just need a few wins to turn things around."
Of the Canadiens' last seven losses, all but one have been by one goal.
"It's very frustrating," Vigneault said of the losses. "We've felt in all of the games we've put out a very honest and determined effort.
"We haven't been overpowered offensively by teams, even though the area we're most vulnerable is defence because we have a lot of young players there."
Despite its youth on the blue line, the Canadiens' penalty killers have been among the most effective in the league.
Ranked fourth overall, the injury-plagued Canadiens have given up just six goals in 50 power-play opportunities.
The penalty-killing unit has been perfect in the last 14 situations.
But as good as the penalty-killing unit might be, the power play is at the other end of the spectrum, ranked 26th out of the 28 teams in the league. Only Buffalo and the New York Rangers are less productive with the man advantage.
The Canadiens have scored just seven goals in 59 chances on the power play.
"When the team is relying on one- goal games, the power play has to kick in," said Linden.
Canadiens goaltender Jeff Hackett says the team has to be more accountable.
"We've got to get the job done," he said. "We have to stop beating ourselves with turnovers.
"We just have to find a way, no matter what, we've got to win."
The Canadiens will be looking to do just that when they take on the Senators tonight.
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