{"id":19267,"date":"2017-11-20T10:02:07","date_gmt":"2017-11-20T15:02:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=19267"},"modified":"2019-11-08T11:11:24","modified_gmt":"2019-11-08T16:11:24","slug":"montreal-canadiens-news-november-20-dark-days-habs-land","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2017\/11\/20\/montreal-canadiens-news-november-20-dark-days-habs-land\/","title":{"rendered":"Montreal Canadiens News November 20: Dark Days in Habs Land"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/canadiens\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Montreal Canadiens<\/a>\u00a0news, the Habs are out of a playoff spot with American Thanksgiving\u00a0just around the corner. They lost all three games last week at home and did not look good. While it is still technically possible that this team could limp into the playoffs, it seems unlikely. Dark days have descended in Montreal.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Montreal Canadiens News and Notes November 20<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h2><strong>Scores and News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>On Tuesday, the Habs dropped a 2-1 loss in overtime against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/blue-jackets\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In a game that seemed to sum up the season so far, the Habs blew three leads in the game and allowed the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/coyotes\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Arizona\u00a0Coyotes<\/a> to come back to win 5-4.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Montreal Canadiens gave the Arizona Coyotes their first regulation win of the season, and there&#39;s no way you can say that wasn&#39;t their worst game played so far <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Habs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Habs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoHabsGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#GoHabsGo<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fN4TeN9W64\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/fN4TeN9W64<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; A Winning Habit (@FSAWinningHabit) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FSAWinningHabit\/status\/931477016066473984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 17, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>After that\u00a0embarrassing\u00a0loss, the Canadiens went on to get blown out 6-0 by their rivals, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>. Ya, that hurt.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/LWOS_Leafs\/status\/932079809034940416<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Commentary<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3>Players and Injuries<\/h3>\n<p>LWOH&#8217;s own,\u00a0Aaron Wrotkowski believes center\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/danauph01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phillip Danault<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/2017\/11\/16\/phillip-danault-fits-canadiens-top-six\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">belongs in the Habs top six<\/a>. Pulled from a productive third line center role to the top line with\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pacioma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Max Pacioretty<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/radulal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Alex Radulov,<\/strong><\/a> his production stayed relatively constant. Despite a disappointing display in the playoffs last year, he nonetheless emerged last season as a young productive and defensively responsible center.<\/p>\n<p>Goaltending injuries continue to plague the Habs. <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/priceca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carey Price<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/montoal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Al Montoya<\/a><\/strong> are both out. To assist <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lindgch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Charlie Lindgren<\/a><\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/2017\/11\/14\/carey-price-al-montoya-antti-niemi\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the Canadiens claimed Antti Niemi.<\/a>\u00a0His statistics are a tire fire this season. With a measly .814 save percentage and 6.74 goals against average, the Habs claimed him as an insurance\u00a0policy. In addition to injuries on the blue line and in net, Habs forward\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lehkoar01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Artturi Lehkonen<\/a><\/strong> is out with an injury as Montreal Canadiens woes continue.<\/p>\n<h3>Rebuild, Reset, or Retool?<\/h3>\n<p>TSN 690&#8217;s Joey Alfieri\u00a0believes it may be time for the Canadiens to start the rebuild. He points out, the 2017-18 season isn\u2019t even two months old, and the Canadiens already find themselves at a crossroads.\u00a0In order to become one of the elite teams in the NHL, the Canadiens may have to <a href=\"http:\/\/nhl.nbcsports.com\/2017\/11\/19\/is-it-time-for-the-canadiens-to-blow-up-their-roster\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">take a step back<\/a> over the next couple of years.<\/p>\n<p>Other also believe Montreal is\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/hockey\/nhl\/montreal-canadiens-headed-rebuild\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">heading for a rebuild.<\/a>\u00a0\u201cThere\u2019s a sense that there might be a meeting of the minds between ownership and [general manager] <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bergema01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marc Bergevin<\/a><\/strong> and that this core group is not good enough to build around moving forward,\u201d Kypreos said on\u00a0<em>Hockey Night in Canada\u00a0<\/em>during Saturday\u2019s Headlines segment.<\/p>\n<p>Rebuilding may not be enough.\u00a0In an era of titles or transition, teams are either in the hunt for the Cup or in the process of remaking their team. While the Canadiens may yet make the playoffs, they aren\u2019t winning a Cup anytime soon. It is time to rebuild the <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/montreal-canadiens-rebuild\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">organization and rethink the team<\/a>.\u00a0As an interim measure, perhaps hiring <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/canadiens-general-manager-application\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Youppi! should be considered.<\/a>\u00a0How could it get any worse?<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/subbapk01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">P.K. Subban<\/a>: Gone but not Forgotten<\/h3>\n<p>With a game against the Predators this week, the first of what will be more than a few articles on\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/subbapk01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">P.K. Subban<\/a><\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>appeared this weekend i<a href=\"http:\/\/montrealgazette.com\/news\/local-news\/reflections-of-p-k-subban-16-months-after-the-trade\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">n the Montreal Gazette<\/a>.\u00a0It has been 16 months since No. 76 was traded to the Predators. It is clear P.K., fans, and Montreal hasn&#8217;t gotten over the trade.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Predictions and Previews<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Teams that are four points out\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/sports-content\/hockey\/opinion\/2013\/10\/30-thoughts-playoff-chase-begins-early-in-nhl.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">or worse past November 1<\/a> have a poor record when it comes to rebounding from bad starts to make the playoffs. For Habs going to cling some (any!) good news, other teams have been in similar situations in the last few years and gone on to find success\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/montreal-canadiens-hope-5-teams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">even win the Stanley Cup!<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Games this Week<\/h3>\n<p>The Habs are on the road to face <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bennja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jamie Benn<\/a><\/strong> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/stars\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dallas Stars<\/a> on Tuesday, November 21. Game time is 8:30 EST.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, the Canadiens travel to Nashville on Wednesday to face <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/subbapk01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">P.K. Subban<\/a><\/strong> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/predators\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nashville Predators<\/a>. Game time is 8:00 EST.<\/p>\n<p>Th Habs return home on Saturday to face <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/eicheja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Eichel<\/a><\/strong> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/sabres\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buffalo Sabres<\/a> for the third time this season. Game time is 7:00 EST.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"nlBpNmmSQ9RBqaTq8o8-RQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/876060790\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'nlBpNmmSQ9RBqaTq8o8-RQ',sig:'Y6N4C6wQaEvR8TPu9V_VoYdAts4189aV-pdE-_9L0MI=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'876060790',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"grammarly-disable-indicator\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Montreal Canadiens\u00a0news, the Habs are out of a playoff spot with American Thanksgiving\u00a0just around the corner. They lost all three games last week at home and did not look good. While it is still technically possible that this team could limp into the playoffs, it seems unlikely. Dark days have descended in Montreal. Montreal [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2253,"featured_media":19270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,4524],"tags":[689,201,199,453,37,264,152,38,253],"class_list":["post-19267","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-canadiens","category-nhl-predictions","tag-al-montoya","tag-artturi-lehkonen","tag-carey-price","tag-charlie-lindgren","tag-hockey","tag-marc-bergevin","tag-montreal-canadiens","tag-nhl","tag-p-k-subban"],"modified_by":"Connor Lapalme","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19267","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2253"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19267"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19267\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19267"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19267"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19267"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}