The Montreal Canadiens recent plight into mediocrity is not surprising to the astute fan of the NHL. In fact it has been a longtime in the making.

Yes, Les Glorieux were a formidable regular season team last year, and I do emphasize regular season. And why did they succeed last year where they fail this year? In one word- Power play. They are no longer the team that can rely on their power play to cover up their inability to score at even strength.

There are other factors this season. Carey Price has not taken the step up in play that the team was expecting. Also you will never win a championship with Alexi Kovalev as you number one offensive weapon. He is a tin man when it comes to heart. 

To blame Kovalev and Price is too simplistic. What Bob Gainey needs to do is to trade one or two of his forwards for a defence man who can play the power play and eat up 20 Min's+ of ice time. 

It is not an easy task- neither is trying to go deep into the post season with this group of forwards.

Is the All Star game going to be remembered as the highlight of the Canadiens 100th season? If that is the case then let me say: it was sad when the great ship went down.