The Montreal Canadiens are confronting difficult questions about their competitive level after suffering two consecutive decisive defeats on home ice. Following a 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings and a devastating 7-0 shutout against the Dallas Stars, players and analysts are examining whether the team possesses the necessary components to compete with the NHL's elite franchises.
Competitive Level Under Scrutiny
Right-winger Josh Anderson addressed the team's recent performances directly, emphasizing the need for increased intensity. "Be harder to play against, to be honest with you," Anderson stated during practice at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard. "The last two teams, bigger boys, play a good structure game. But I love the way we're playing right now... just a little bit more urgency and harder to play against. Compete level's got to jump up a little bit more."
The statistics reveal a troubling pattern against top competition. The Canadiens have managed only 1-4-1 record this season against teams that qualified for last year's playoffs, being outscored 30-15 in those matchups. Despite these struggles, Montreal maintains first place in the Atlantic Division with a 10-5-2 record, tied in points with both the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.
Examining the Goaltending Conundrum
A critical question emerging from recent performances concerns whether the team's issues stem from goaltending deficiencies or broader defensive breakdowns. Evidence strongly points toward the netminders as the primary concern. The Canadiens are allowing only 26.6 shots per game, ranking ninth-fewest in the NHL, yet the save percentages tell a different story.
Jakub Dobes has posted a 6-1-1 record with a 2.70 goals-against average and .901 save percentage, but his performance has deteriorated recently with an .839 save percentage over his last four appearances. Samuel Montembeault's numbers are even more concerning at 4-4-1 with a 3.61 GAA and .857 save percentage. In the Dallas game particularly, the Canadiens limited the Stars to just four high-danger scoring chances and outshot them 24-19, yet the goaltenders failed to make crucial saves at pivotal moments.
Roster Challenges and Injury Impacts
The team faces additional challenges with significant injuries affecting lineup stability. Alex Newhook suffered a fractured ankle during Thursday's loss to Dallas and will be sidelined for approximately four months. The Canadiens have recalled Jared Davidson from the AHL's Laval Rocket to fill the vacancy. Meanwhile, Patrik Laine remains months away from returning following core muscle surgery on October 24.
Regarding team composition questions, the Canadiens aren't considering converting defenceman Arber Xhekaj to forward despite suggestions drawing parallels to Wendel Clark's successful transition. Xhekaj has developed effective chemistry with defensive partner Alexandre Carrier, making such a move unlikely at this stage.
Looking Ahead to Bruins Matchup
The Canadiens have an immediate opportunity to address these concerns when they host the Boston Bruins at Bell Centre on Saturday night. This divisional matchup provides a crucial test for Montreal to demonstrate they can elevate their performance against quality opponents. As Anderson emphasized, "It all starts tomorrow night. Get back on the right path and go from there."
With the holiday season approaching, one fan inquired what the Canadiens should request from Santa Claus. The answer, given recent performances, appears straightforward: better goaltending remains the most pressing need for a team striving to establish itself as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
