The Montreal Canadiens have been involved in three games this season that could be considered a gong show. The 4-5 and 6-5 losses to Arizona and Carolina and the 7-5 win against Vancouver fall into that category. Fans at home might enjoy the back-and-forth goal nights, but they drive NHL coaches nuts when their teams can’t seem to get a handle on things.
Carolina are in the same position they were in the last time they faced each other. The Metropolitan Division isn’t as free as the Atlantic, and most teams are a win or two away from being in a playoff spot.