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Ivan Demidov would have shot, him
Mathis Therrien
Ivan Demidov would have shot, him
Credit: For a second time in as many nights, the Montreal Canadiens failed to confirm their place in the playoffs. Even though they got a point in their 1-0 loss to the Maple Leafs in Toronto, the Habs still don’t have a little x next to their name in the standings. Despite everything, the Habs still […]
For a second time in as many nights, the Montreal Canadiens failed to confirm their place in the playoffs.

Even though they got a point in their 1-0 loss to the Maple Leafs in Toronto, the Habs still don’t have a little x next to their name in the standings.

Despite everything, the Habs still have 98.7% chances of making the playoffs.

So, it’s not the end of the world to have lost last night to the Leafs, but still, it’s a shame the Habs can’t confirm their playoff spot, which would relieve everyone.

Even if the Red Wings, Islanders, and Rangers were eliminated last night, the Columbus Blue Jackets are still alive, and the Habs must not give them a chance to come back, or else things could turn ugly.

And if the Canadiens want to avoid a catastrophic end to their season, they’ll have to find a way to get more shots on goal.

Last night, it was pathetic how Martin St-Louis’ team couldn’t even get a shot on goal, while the Habs were missing the target on every attempt.

Seven shots after two periods is unacceptable, especially in front of Ivan Demidov, who would have shot on goal if he had played.

Obviously, I know Demidov wouldn’t have played last night, but still, he needs to be given time to arrive, and watching the Habs last night, it was clear they lacked the offensive talent to at least reach the net, which Demidov would have been able to do.

The Habs didn’t play a bad game, as they managed to contain the Maple Leafs’ attack for 60 minutes (thanks to Jakub Dobes), but getting only 15 shots on 57 attempts is pathetic.

When compared to the Maple Leafs, they attempted exactly the same number of shots, 57, but they hit the target 35 times, forcing Jakub Dobes to be the renaissance of Carey Price.

In short, the Habs need to shoot more, and those shots can’t just come from the top line, which got 10 of the 15 shots on goal in the entire game last night.

Caufield had five, Suzuki had three, and Slafkovsky had two.

The shot distribution needs to be more varied, because it’s not normal that 10 players didn’t even get a shot on goal.

More shots need to come from the point and therefore from the defensemen. Only Alexandre Carrier (1) and Lane Hutson (1) hit the net last night, which is way too little.

Directing shots on goal from the point is always a good threat and a good opportunity to score if the goalie is screened, and therefore, the Habs’ defensemen need to generate more offense.

It’s not normal that only one defenseman (Lane Hutson) has scored since March 11. Two goals from the defensemen in over a month is not enough.

In short, let’s hope the Habs will fix the situation by Monday, and that Ivan Demidov will be part of the solution.


Overtime

– We all hope for a Blue Jackets loss in Columbus. We’ll all be Capitals fans tonight.

– Recall in Tampa.

– A first championship in their history for Western Michigan.

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