Canadiens Lose 5-2 to Predators: What Did We Learn?

To be honest, I think Montreal Canadiens fans have a right to be a little concerned. It's early, I know. We haven't even played enough hockey to draw big conclusions. But after Thursday night's 5-2 loss to the Nashville Predators, the Canadiens have gone three straight games without a win since beating the Toronto Maple Leafs on opening night. That's not exactly the start Montreal was hoping for.

And the frustrating part? The Canadiens actually gave themselves a pretty good chance to win this one. They went up 2-0 in the second period, with Nick Suzuki scoring his third goal of the season and Alex Newhook following up with another. For a while, things looked pretty good. Then the game slipped away.

A Two-Goal Lead Isn't Much of a Safety Net.

Nashville scored twice before the second period was over. Suddenly, that comfortable-looking Montreal lead was gone, and the Canadiens were chasing the game again. Ryan O'Reilly scored the go-ahead goal on the power play with just 3:16 remaining in the third period. Mike Matheson's tripping penalty set up the opportunity, and O'Reilly made Montreal pay.

The Predators added two empty-net goals, making the final score even uglier. Here's what bothers me. Nashville managed just 18 shots, compared with Montreal's 34. The Canadiens had plenty of chances, but they couldn't turn that advantage into a win. Juuse Saros stopped 32 shots, and that tells us something about the difference between getting chances and finishing them.

Montreal needs to find a way to make those chances count.

The Canadiens Goaltending Question Is Worth Watching.

Jacob Fowler made his first start of the season and stopped 15 shots. That's a difficult situation for a young goaltender, particularly when his team lets a two-goal lead slip away. I'm not going to hang this loss on Fowler. The Canadiens gave up two goals in the final 4:54 of the second period, then surrendered the winner late in the third. This is a team issue, not just a goaltending issue.

Still, Montreal's .857 team save percentage through the early part of the season is worth watching. The Canadiens need more saves, better defensive support, or preferably both.

Bottom Line: What Did We Learn About the Canadiens?

The Canadiens can generate offence. They can build a lead. But right now, they're struggling to put together a complete game. That's what concerns me most. A 1-2-1 record isn't a season-ending disaster, and I'm not ready to start writing the team's obituary in October. But Montreal hasn't won since opening night, and the next few games matter because the players need to show they can respond.

Good teams don't win every night. They do, however, have to learn how to protect a lead. For the Canadiens, that's the lesson from this one. Now let's see whether they can put it to use.