Stuck in their first slump of the season, the Montreal Canadiens look to get on track when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.
The Canadiens have won just once (1-3-2) in their last six games, and they have been outscored 15-3 during a three-game losing streak. While Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins had a closer score, there was still plenty of offensive frustration for the Habs.
Saturday’s game saw the Canadiens go 0-for-7 on the power play. Jake Evans scored a short-handed goal as part of a 4-for-5 night for the penalty-kill unit, but Viktor Arvidsson’s power-play marker in the second period ended up as the Bruins’ game-winner.
“Special teams definitely lost us the game [Saturday],” Montreal captain Nick Suzuki said, though he felt his team is currently lacking confidence in its overall scoring ability.
“When your touches aren’t confident, you’re not feeling like every play is open to you. It’s tough sometimes … I think we’re trying to force some stuff,” Suzuki said.
Montreal is 0-for-17 on the power play over its last five games. Ending that streak might not be easy against a Columbus team that is 18-for-20 on penalty kills in its last 10 games, as the Blue Jackets’ PK unit has lar
