While his charges were travelling to Missouri, thinking of what could have been as they failed to pull off a victory against one-quarter of the NHL's Central Division Mount Rushmore, Marc Bergevin was busy putting the finishing touches on an unexpected swap. The loss was depressing, and the trade baffling, but the Canadiens may have some reasons for hope.
Bergevin's handiwork will have no effect on his team's game-day roster tonight, but by diverting attention away from the team, the circus it created may have brought a collateral benefit. That third period against Chicago was the type of effort that might allow them to knock off an elite opponent, and even better: they're getting to that elite opponent at just the right time.