When most players break down at the same time, a hockey team will rarely be successful.
While Brendan Gallagher has been climbing the ranks in the Canadian’s history scoring column in recent games, the rest of the team seems stuck in a torpor.
The result? A series of six defeats (0-5-1) and players who have confidence in their heels.
“Sometimes, when you lack confidence, it can weigh on the player and it reflects on his work ethic,” said Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis after the 4-1 loss. of his team against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
“In general, it’s not the work ethic at the moment,” St-Louis insisted, however.
Defenseman David Savard stressed that he and his teammates could perhaps give a little more on the ice in the hope of getting back on track offensively.
“I think they (the Maple Leafs) blocked a lot of shots, but we had trouble getting into the slot and creating second chances,” said the Quebec guard. That’s what hurt us.”
The Canadian’s offensive stars are, however, at the heart of a crossing of the desert. Nick Suzuki has been stuck at 299 career points for four games. Cole Caufield has also not darkened the scoresheet in his last four games.
Kirby Dach has not scored a point in his last six games. Juraj Slafkovsky only had one assist in five games.
“The guys are looking for each other a little,” said St-Louis. It’s hard to do it alone in this league. When everyone is looking for each other, it’s difficult for everyone. But we are here to help them. »
After the 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, St. Louis said he felt the tide was about to turn for his team and that all it took was a key goal and a victory to get there. . About 48 hours later, the team was still waiting.
“We have to win a game and hope it snowballs,” Josh Anderson said. This is what will help us: hearing the music of victory in the locker room. It will give us confidence again. »
The players will give themselves a better chance of getting there by perhaps playing with an even stronger sense of urgency than that felt on Saturday. They just have to look to little number 11 for a little inspiration.
Gallagher scored his seventh goal of the season against the Maple Leafs. Since the start of the season, he has been scoring at a rate that would give him a haul of 38 goals at the end of the campaign.
After overtaking Guy Carbonneau and Peter Mahovlich earlier this season, Gallagher now ranks 19th in Canadian history with 225 goals, tied with Stéphane Richer. His next goal will allow him to join Max Pacioretty in 18th place.
Gallagher will then have Tomas Plekanec and his 233 goals in his sights. All the other players higher on the list played with the Canadian before his last Stanley Cup victory in 1993.
” I think that Gally plays very well, said Savard. He goes where it hurts, but he manages to find the net. We have to take his example and create chances around the net. You have to keep it simple.
“I think we are not generating enough scoring chances and return chances,” he added.
The Canadian will play his next game Monday against the Sabers in Buffalo. The meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m.
“I think it can be good for us,” Anderson said. It’s going to change our routine a little bit, but we have to find a way to win. »
The Habs have won their last four games in Buffalo.
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