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5 Takeaways from Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild

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5 Takeaways from Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild

Max Pacioretty Montreal Canadiens, Zach Parise Minnesota Wild
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On a night where the Montreal Canadiens were rocked by news of a great loss for the organization--the death of the legendary Jean Béliveau--they dropped a 2-1 game to the Minnesota Wild. There were many factors that contribute to this loss, and I will address five that I believe were strongest to note.

5. Bryan Allen is a detriment

Bryan Allen Montreal Canadiens
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5. Bryan Allen is a detriment

Bryan Allen Montreal Canadiens
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While there is never one player who is completely at fault for a game in which the team doesn't show up, it should be noted that new acquisition, Bryan Allen, is not doing the team any favors. He is extremely slow, makes too many mistakes, and tonight stood out as a defenseman who should not have been on the ice. Hopefully, Mike Weaver will be back in the line-up after this game.

4. David Desharnais is on the wrong line

David Desharnais Montreal Canadiens
Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

4. David Desharnais is on the wrong line

David Desharnais Montreal Canadiens
Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Another player who is remarkable in his liability is David Desharnais. Desharnais has now gone 49 games without a 5-on-5 goal; this season, his reputation is that he doesn't shoot when he does have the puck. Playing on the top line with power forward Max Pacioretty, he is more a detriment to the production of that line than anything else. For some reason, the coach keeps him where he is. This has to change.

3. Being outshot won't result in goals

Montreal Canadiens vs Minnesota Wild
Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

3. Being outshot won't result in goals

Montreal Canadiens vs Minnesota Wild
Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

A dismal showing, the Canadiens were outshot by Minnesota 35-19. That makes this game only 2 shots more than the lowest-shooting game this season. While it isn't a hard and fast rule that being outshot always results in a loss, this was unacceptable. Minnesota was dominant in many ways, and had the Habs just shot more, they might have had a chance. For whatever reason, they did not, and it resulted in a frustrating loss.

2. Playing for 60 minutes is crucial

Alex Galchenyuk Montreal Canadiens
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2. Playing for 60 minutes is crucial

Alex Galchenyuk Montreal Canadiens
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This cannot be said too many times this season, but it was, once again, the Story of the game: the Habs did not play a full 60 minutes. The 3rd period started strong but not strong enough. When Alex Galchenyuk scored the Habs' only goal, there was a little over a minute on the clock. Too little, too late, and this just cannot be the formula for the team to follow. Strong start all the way through to strong finish, and they just may win.

1. The emotional factor

Brendan Gallagher Montreal Canadiens
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1. The emotional factor

Brendan Gallagher Montreal Canadiens
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We sometimes tend to forget players' emotions. Earlier, it was said the Habs would play in honor of Jean Béliveau, who died overnight. Sadly, that was not the game they should have played in his memory. Is it possible that emotions were so overwhelming they were dragged down? Considering how profoundly Béliveau permeated this team's past and present, his death might well have been a shock from which the team couldn't pull out.

Lissa Albert is a Montreal Canadiens writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @LissaRantSports. “Like” her on Facebook and/or add her to your network on Google. 

Lissa Albert is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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