Hurricanes’ 6-0 loss to Montreal concerning

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC – The Carolina Hurricanes played their third straight preseason game in three nights and lost 6-0 to the Montreal Canadiens at Colisee Pepsi in Quebec City.

After suffering consecutive losses to the Columbus Blue Jackets (5-4) and Buffalo Sabres (5-2), the Hurricanes were kept scoreless for the entire game as the Canadiens registered goals in all periods, led by a dominating 4-0 first period of play.

Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller still stressed that even though the team suffered another loss, the focus remained on individual play and evaluation.

“Some guys can be happy with the effort, some guys, the door can be shuttin’,” Muller said.

“It’s all up to them.”

Regardless of it being a preseason game, and understanding that the team’s entire roster with all of its top players were not playing, suffering a big shutout loss with goaltender Cam Ward in between the pipes must be concerning.

Might this be an overreaction by those who might feel this way?

Maybe.

However, being held scoreless for four straight periods since the third period against Buffalo has to be deemed unacceptable – preseason or not.

Muller talks about developing good habits and not bad ones early in the season.

Being held scoreless in any game, preseason or scrimmage, is an unacceptable and bad habit to develop, particularly when it carries over from a previous game.

That message has to be sent loud and clear.

The media and fans may not hear it when Muller shields his players in how he explains such performances during his postgame commentary, but hopefully he’s saying it a different way in the dressing room.

“We just weren’t ready to play a game,” Muller concluded.

“I know we don’t have all our team, but it starts right now. We’ve got a game tomorrow night. It’s gonna’ be a sellout crowd. We gotta’ be ready to play. You only get a little opportunity and guys will get another look, but for some, like I said, the door shuts quick.”

Game highlights: Montreal Canadiens 6, Carolina Hurricanes 0 – (canadiens.nhl.com)