## Habs' Defensive Woes: Hemorrhaging Goals And Calling For A Wild Response
The Montreal Canadiens are in a defensive crisis, and it's costing them dearly. After allowing a league-worst 22 goals in their first five games, the Habs are now on the verge of falling out of playoff contention.
Hemorrhaging Goals
The Canadiens' defensive problems are glaring. They're allowing an average of 4.4 goals per game, which is the worst mark in the NHL. They're also giving up a league-high 35 shots on goal per game.
The Canadiens' lack of defensive depth is a major problem. They don't have a single player who can consistently shut down the opposition's top players. Shea Weber is a great defenseman, but he's not the same player he was a few years ago. Jeff Petry is a solid second-pairing defenseman, but he's not a true shutdown defender. And the rest of the Canadiens' defensemen are either inexperienced or overmatched.
Calling For A Wild Response
The Canadiens need to make a change, and fast. They can't keep giving up goals at this rate and expect to win. Head coach Claude Julien has tried to tweak his lineup, but nothing has worked. It's time for a more drastic measure.
The Canadiens should trade for a top-pairing defenseman. It won't be easy, but it's the only way to fix their defensive problems. There are a few players who could be available, including Dougie Hamilton, Erik Karlsson, and Tyson Barrie.
A trade for a top-pairing defenseman would be a short-term solution, but it would give the Canadiens a chance to compete for a playoff spot this season. In the long term, the Canadiens need to develop their own young defensemen. They have a few promising prospects in the pipeline, but they need to be given a chance to play.
The Canadiens are in a tough spot, but they can still salvage their season. They need to make a change, and fast. If they don't, they could be looking at a long and painful rebuild.