The Montreal Canadiens are running out of tricks.
The good news is that Carey Price was pretty solid in goal for the Canadiens on Friday, but offensively this team just could not get it going. If you are general manager Bob Gainey or head coach Guy Carbonneau you are wondering what can we try next?
As far as Gainey is concerned, he adds Matthew Schneider via trade. The defenceman made his return and got that power-play going again and the Canadiens showed some life.
Carbonneau and Gainey combined banish Alex Kovalev because the veteran was not playing well. Kovalev sits out for two games, comes back and shows some life.
This past Wednesday, as a group the Canadiens lay an egg in Buffalo versus the Sabres. The following day, the players had a 28 minute "punishment skate." Carbonneau sent a message to his players. It was a wake up call and they just didn't seem to get it, at least offensively as they fell 2-0 to the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday night.