Montreal Canadiens’ Strong Run Marred by Costly Losses to Struggling Teams

The Montreal Canadiens have been on an impressive stretch, earning points in 10 of their last 12 games. However, the team’s surge has been somewhat overshadowed by a pair of perplexing losses to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks—two teams that were near the bottom of the standings at the time of their matchups.

The Columbus Turning Point

On December 23, the Canadiens faced the Blue Jackets, a team struggling with a 3-4-3 record over its previous 10 games and sitting fifth in the Metropolitan Division. Despite Montreal’s strong form, Columbus came away with a surprising victory that may have marked a turning point in their season.

Since that game, the Blue Jackets have ignited, posting a 7-2-1 record over their last 10 outings and thrusting themselves into the playoff conversation. Ironically, the Habs now find themselves competing with Columbus for crucial positioning in the standings.

Patrik Laine’s Provocative Comments

A major subplot of the December 23 contest was the outspoken comments from Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine. Before the game, Laine openly criticized his former teammates, accusing them of lacking a winning mentality.

“It was the same thing year after year. I was tired of losing, tired of us giving up in December and starting to think about next year,” Laine remarked. “Some people were too easily satisfied, so it didn’t fit with me anymore. Here [in Montreal], whether we win or lose, we always try our best.”

The comments didn’t sit well with his ex-teammates, who responded by targeting Laine with a series of punishing hits. Ultimately, Laine didn’t finish the game due to injury, but his words appeared to galvanize the Blue Jackets, sparking their recent run of success.

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Missed Points Could Prove Costly

For the Canadiens, the fallout from that game goes beyond the loss of two points. Columbus’ resurgence has turned what was once a struggling team into a direct competitor. As the standings tighten, the four-point swing from that December game could loom large in Montreal’s postseason ambitions.

Adding to the frustration, this wasn’t the first time Laine’s comments impacted the Canadiens. Just days earlier, he made similar remarks about the Winnipeg Jets, leading to another regulation loss for Montreal.

Lessons Learned

If there’s a takeaway for the Habs, it’s that underestimating opponents—especially those motivated by personal stakes—can have lasting consequences. As the playoff race intensifies, Montreal will need to avoid waking any more sleeping giants.

While the Canadiens have shown they can compete with the league’s best, those slip-ups against struggling teams may define their season. For now, fans and the organization alike will hope that the lessons from December stick as the Habs aim to maintain their strong form down the stretch.