NEWARK | The Canadian deserved better. This isn't the first time we've heard that phrase in Habs territory lately. The worst thing is that it's not fake. But at some point it's nice to be in the game, you have to get results.
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Martin St-Louis and Jake Allen themselves mentioned it after that heartbreaking 4-3 loss to the Devils.
“Yeah, I think we deserve better lately. Our collective play, commitment and work ethic are there. But it has to be scary,” the Habs head coach said.
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“You can’t just earn better. You can't just play well, be okay with it and lose. It needs more,” he continued.
As the third period began, we believed the Habs would come away with a win. At this point the score was 2-2, but the guests dominated. The Devils then only had 13 shots on goal from Jake Allen.
“We have to find a way to finish the job. We've been in the game in four of the last five games but we're failing [à gagner]said Allen, who had just suffered his fifth straight loss.
Disappointing
The 33-year-old goalkeeper seems to have had enough of the process and the good performances that help the team move forward without necessarily winning.
“You learn, you learn, you learn. But at some point you want that learning to become a result, he said. This is the next step.”
Since sports is a world of results and professional athletes aren't the type to settle for participation prizes, it's safe to say he's not the only one who can't wait for the wins to come his way. More regular.
“We are human beings. “We are conditioned to think a certain way,” said Brendan Gallagher, who scored his ninth goal of the season. It's hard to block everything out. You have to understand how to deal with these emotions, how to play with them.”
It is up to St-Louis and his deputies to ensure that all these wonderful people do not descend into crisis.
“Mentally it’s a challenge,” admitted the coach.
Anderson: The bad luck persists
While he maintains that “we are there on the defensive,” St-Louis reiterates that his troops lack “finishing at crucial moments.”
In this department, we can only think of Josh Anderson. The impressive winger could have scored the first goal in the first third. A few dozen seconds before Jesper Bratt scored the Devils' fourth goal, he also had the opportunity to tie the game at 3-3.
“We feel sorry for him. We all want him to succeed. He shows up to work, he deserves a reward, Gallagher said. He had two good chances tonight. He shaped his entire life and he will do it again. He has to keep doing the right things.”
Another challenge that can be mentally difficult.