The Canadiens 3-2 win in Carolina was obviously huge for the team's psyche, allowing them to enjoy a two-day break for Christmas at peace with themselves.

They were rewarded for some of the bad luck that afflicted them in Dallas, even though everyone in this town appeared to think they played a horrendous game that night.

Carey Price was marvelous in the third period stopping all 10 shots sent his way while his teammates mustered only four on the opposing goal. That's just two fewer saves he made the whole game in Dallas.

But with Jacques Martin's tendency not to touch a winning lineup, I'm wondering if the result on the scoreboard will mask what became clearly evident over the course of this game.

Firstly, the Canadiens improved to 4-0 without P.K. Subban in the lineup. The power play is 4-for-12 without P.K. Subban in the lineup. They've allowed six goals in four games without P.K. Subban in the lineup.

But I would argue the Canadiens need P.K. Subban in the lineup.

Thursday night, more than any other night, made it clear that Roman Hamrlik needs some rest. It was clear that Josh Gorges is playing a step behind, or perhaps even two or three. The defence needs a break now and then, and the only way for that to happen is for Martin to ignore his instincts and put both Subban and Yannick Weber in the lineup at the same time.

Weber was not outstanding in Carolina, you could even argue he wasn't all that good. But Hamrlik was a shell of his usual self, and Gorges has been that way for quite some time now.

Boxing Day in Long Island seems to me to be a perfect opportunity to give one of them a rest and to start a rotation where one of the four veterans on the back end takes a night off from time to time. The added benefit of that, as I've been harping about for a while now, is it will allow Subban and Weber to improve, to learn how to play within the team's system, to know when to take chances and when to sit back.

That would be hugely beneficial to this team assuming Pierre Gauthier isn't about to go trade for a top-four defenceman. But even more beneficial would be to allow his older and/or injured defenceman time to catch their breath or heal their wounds, whatever the case may be.

Hamrlik's half-ass attempt at clearing the puck on Carolina's first goal reeked of fatigue, as did his total lack of effort watching Erik Cole beat him to the net off a faceoff for Carolina's second goal.

If anyone remembers the start of last year's playoffs, Hamrlik was benched for the third period of Game 5 against the Capitals and then played fewer than 15 minutes per game the rest of the series, in spite of the fact Jaroslav Spacek wasn't available to play.

He was tired and he wasn't playing well as a result, likely because he played fewer than 20 minutes only four times in the regular season, averaging 23:26 per game.

Avoiding the same thing happening this coming spring should be a priority, and is possible with the current personnel on hand.

Yes, an established defenceman coming on board to help even out the ice time would be ideal. But barring that, and it's unlikely at best, why not use the young legs you have at your disposal?

I guess Martin will be able to mull that over as he celebrates Christmas over the next couple of days, and I will spend those days trying to do the opposite – that is, trying not to think about this hockey team.

So to all of you, a Merry Christmas, or whatever it is you celebrate this time of year. And if you celebrate nothing, well, then enjoy the holiday from work. I know I will.