Hockey

Canadiens frustrated, facing adversity, but that's OK

Michel Therrien said earlier this week that one of the things he likes about the NHL playoffs is facing adversity. His team certainly is facing a full plate of adversity now.

Habs have 3rd chance to eliminate Senators on Sunday

The Montreal Canadiens have lost two in a row against the Ottawa Senators. Coach Michel Therrien and the team are getting frustrated but there is no need to panic yet. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

Michel Therrien said earlier this week that one of the things he likes about the NHL playoffs is facing adversity.

His team certainly is facing a full plate of adversity now.

The Habs dropped game five at home to Ottawa and now they have to make a trip back to the nation's capital for game 6. This is not a trip the players were looking forward to making.

Unlike the team's retreat to Mont Tremblant after game 3, there are no panoramic lake views from a hot tub on this trip. The Habs are in a series now, their commanding 3 games to 0 lead has all but dried up.

Frustration boils over 

Carey Price finished off his post game interview walked away from his locker and just as he was out of sight someone from behind the walls of the Habs dressing room let out an F-Bomb loud enough to set the spine straight of anyone within ear shot.

That wasn't the only sign of frustration.

Brandon Prust's stick work on Senators goalie Craig Anderson prompted Ottawa's coach to call the move 'cheap'.

Anderson has been excellent since taking over for Andrew Hammond as the starter in game three. He's only allowed three goal, on Friday night he turned away 45 shots.

"We've got to find ways to score now. Three goals in the last three games obviously isn't enough," said Habs forward Max Pacioretty.

No need to panic

A 5-1 loss at home in the playoffs doesn't look good under any circumstances but the Habs are far from crisis mode.

"We got to just wipe the slate clean and get ready for the next game our focus is just winning one hockey game," said defenceman P.K. Subban.

Subban and the Habs can lean on the experience of last season's playoffs. During that run they won a game 7 on the road in Boston so a game 6 in Ottawa with a 3-2 series lead won't qualify as an overwhelming situation for this group.

Although things did just become a lot more interesting.