MONTREAL – To say art imitates life is uncanny for the Montreal Canadiens.
At this point in the season, the team’s demise can be summed up by one particular piece of modern art.
It’s neither painting nor sculpture nor dramatic work – no, this season is feeling increasing like a scene from one of the great comedies of our time.
The Montreal Canadiens are done for.
With a 1.1 per cent chance of making the playoffs, the team will likely be mathematically eliminated from the race on Tuesday night against a juggernaut in the Western Conference: the Dallas Stars.
The trade deadline has passed and now most of the fanbase’s hope is pinned to a lottery to see which of the league’s bottom feeders will get the first overall pick.
The end of this season feels like more of an afterthought.
The hopes for next season already rest on one man’s shoulders…or rather his knee.
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Last week, Carey Price, who was just named to Team Canada’s roster for the World Cup of Hockey, spoke to the media for only the second time since his likely season-ending injury.
Sadly, even with a healthy Number One goaltender, I don’t think even Price could have prevented this collapse.
Certainly, the losses wouldn’t be as bad and he is known for his ability to steal games, but Price alone wouldn’t change the fortunes of the team.
The offensive woes and lack of a powerful Top-6 forward are too much for a goaltender to overcome.
Even so, there are still fans who think that a healthy Price would have been the difference-maker.
That means for next season, the bar has been raised for the man with the most pressure-filled job in the city.
The fact of the matter is, fans feel robbed – cheated by the Hockey Gods for an injury that turned into a guessing game of when the Canadiens’ saviour would be back.
Take a look at Twitter or talk to any fan and they’ll say this was supposed to be the Canadiens year.
At the start of the season, Price was coming off a Vézina and Hart trophy win.
Marc Bergevin told the media at the Canadiens golf tournament that Alex Galchenyuk would finally get his chance at centre.
Max Pacioretty was coming off two consecutive 35+ goal seasons and P.K. Subban has just logged a career-high 60-point year.
That’s all down the drain now.
With elimination looming, it feels like the only hope for a Cup run in the next few years will rely on Price’s knee.
To say art imitates life is uncanny, and the Montreal Canadiens are turning into a true tragedy.
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