Montreal Canadiens vs. Detroit Red Wings: 3 things to watch
Mike Condon gets the start against the Red Wings tonight
Only a Time Lord could save this season for the Habs.
Days after mathematical elimination they look to split their season series with the Wings and prevent Detroit from securing a playoff spot.
Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Spoilers
With six games left in the regular season, the Habs only card left to play is that of the spoilers.
The role begins tonight with a rematch against a Red Wings team they almost came back on last Thursday when they scored three goals in the third period yet had to settle for a 4-3 loss.
The Wings are battling with the Flyers for the final wildcard spot in the east and the Canadiens can make that challenge more difficult by handing them a loss on home ice tonight.
Detroit is on the tail end of a back-to-back where they had to fight to hang onto the two points in Buffalo. The team is near the bottom of the standings in offensive output.
In short, now is the time. The remaining games are against Florida teams securely in playoff position and a Hurricanes team that likely can't close the gap.
Tonight is the last "meaningful" game on the Habs schedule. Hello sweetie.
Fan Power
When the Tenth Doctor was reduced to a tiny shadow of his former self by The Master, he was returned to his original form by the power of thought: "one word, just one thought at one moment..." and people around the world translated their faith and hope into reality.
Habs fans do not have the power of the Archangel Network to psychically link everyone's thoughts, but maybe, just maybe, if at precisely 7:30 p.m. we all think "Blue, Blanc et Rouge" at the same time, we can influence which Canadiens team will show up on the ice tonight.
Let's at least hope it is not the team that has won a mere two of their last eight games, allowing at least three goals in seven of those eight. Give Mike Condon some help for the little time that remains.
Alternate Dimension
If the many hours I have spent watching Doctor Who has taught me anything, it is that somewhere out there, there is an alternate reality where the Canadiens have a healthy squad and are preparing for a dangerous Stanley Cup run.
Unfortunately without a TARDIS and an accidental rift in time and space, we are stuck in the bleak reality of this current team.
The Habs' power play hit a new low recently going 0-6 against the Rangers and are 1-for-21 over this last eight-game stretch.
The power play numbers are certainly not helped by the absence of Subban and he will miss his ninth game due to a neck injury tonight.
The kids will continue to have a chance to shine against an Original Six team.
Brendan Gallagher is still out with a lower body injury.
Daniel Carr is close to a return but not quite ready. Victor Bartley, Lucas Lessio Mark Barberio and of course Carey Price all still injured.
What this team needs is a Doctor.