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There were such high hopes for the Montreal Canadiens this season. They were expected to make a deep playoff run, but instead the team is fighting just for the bottom playoff spot. Montreal has gone on a dreadful run of games since December and it’s most likely cost them a shot at the 2016 NHL playoffs.
5. Fans Have Turned Against The Team
Credit: Getty Images5. Fans Have Turned Against The Team
Fans stick by teams through the best and the worst, but Montreal fans have had enough. The Canadiens' poor level of play has started to draw the ire of Montreal fans with P.K. Subban being targeted the most. Subban made a slew of mistakes in the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, including hitting captain Max Pacioretty in the head with a slap shot. It will be difficult for Montreal to turn their season around, especially when they no longer have support from the fans.
4. The Power play
Credit: Getty Images4. The Power play
Things just aren't working for Montreal, with the worst problem being their power play. Since December 3, Montreal has only scored eight times on 80 power play opportunities. This is a huge difference compared to when they started the season scoring 22 times on 92 power play opportunities. Their power play percentage has gone from 23.9 percent to 10 percent. There's no way Montreal can make the playoffs with a power play this bad.
3. Nobody Is Worried About Losing
Credit: Getty Images3. Nobody Is Worried About Losing
Something's gotta give. Montreal has lost 19 of their last 24 games and nobody seems to be worried in the organization. Coach Michel Therrien hasn't changed the team's strategy or tried players on different lines. General manager Marc Bergevin hasn't made an effort to shake up the team or bring in some new players. Bergevin has also said Therrien isn't getting fired. The lack of urgency to this many loses is troubling, any other team would've done something drastic after losing 19 of 24 games.
2. Goal Drought
Credit: Getty Images2. Goal Drought
The goals have dried up with Montreal only having five games since December in which they've scored three or more goals. Without goaltender Carey Price, Montreal can't expect to win games by just scoring two goals. Coach Michel Therrien hasn't given more ice time to young players that have continued to score while the veterans haven't. Montreal will continue to lose unless they can find a way to put more pucks in the net.
1. No Carey Price
Credit: Getty Images1. No Carey Price
And here is the major reason why the Montreal Canadiens won't make the playoffs -- no Carey Price. Price has only played 12 games this season due to injury and then coming back too soon and re-injuring himself. In that time he's played amazingly, winning 10 of 12 games with a .934 save percentage and a 2.06 goals against average. Once Price got injured it became painfully apparent of how much Montreal relies on Price to win games, and without him they aren't a playoff team. Price is expected to come back mid February, but by then it will be too late for Montreal's playoff hopes.
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