The Canadiens are finding themselves in a frustrating pattern this season, often letting leads slip away. The big question is: what's causing this trend?
Is it the players, head coach Martin St. Louis’ system, or just plain bad luck?
Despite these challenges, the Canadiens have shown resilience, leading the NHL with 22 comeback victories. That’s no small feat. Just recently, they pulled off a thrilling overtime win against Boston, highlighted by Cole Caufield’s impressive 40th goal of the season.
However, the momentum didn’t carry over. In a crucial matchup against the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal couldn't hold onto a 1-0 lead, ultimately falling 3-1 after Detroit netted three unanswered goals in the third period.
The turning point came late in the game when Mike Matheson’s unfortunate turnover handed the puck to Detroit’s top scorer, Alex DeBrincat. DeBrincat capitalized, scoring with just over three minutes left.
Matheson’s frustration was evident as he shattered his stick against the net. It’s a tough break for the veteran defenseman.
Yet, there's still hope. The Canadiens remain in third place in the Atlantic Division with 84 points.
While they missed a chance to tie with Tampa Bay for second, they’re still in the playoff hunt. Boston and Detroit, both with 84 points, hold the Eastern Conference wild-card spots, but have played one more game than Montreal.
Alex DeBrincat was the star of the night, contributing to every Detroit goal with one goal and two assists. He’s been on fire lately, tallying 15 points in his last 10 games, bringing his season totals to 34 goals and 72 points.
In other news, Joe Veleno made a return to the lineup due to Josh Anderson’s upper-body injury. Veleno, who hadn’t played since early February, stepped up after being a healthy scratch for 10 straight games. His presence adds depth as the Canadiens push forward in this tightly contested season.