MONTREAL - What would we be saying about these Canadiens if they had won five of their first seven games as opposed to losing them?

Kind of a moot point, I understand. But if the coach and his system are to blame for their start to the season, then surely those elements deserve credit for the dominant periods of hockey the Canadiens have played within each game.

Or maybe the players have a hand in both the good and bad elements of their play.

The coach often suggests his team has to concentrate on the process--the only thing they have control over.

Let's analyze that process.

Attention to detail is lacking, tremendously. Taking two, too many men on the ice penalties in the same period (one of them on a 5-on-3) after leading the league in the category last season, is a testament to the fact.

The disconnect from shift-to-shift is all too apparent, which means that the coach hasn't done a good enough job of getting his players on the same page and the players haven't done a good enough job of playing within the structure of the team.

The goaltender has been excellent at times and weak at others. Price is hardly the reason the Habs are where they are, but his inconsistency is another problem to add to a growing list.

Mike Cammalleri felt the team's puck movement against Toronto was a significant improvement over what they showed in Pittsburgh two nights previous.

Put that in the positive column. It's something they can use to help build confidence; to help them seize more control over the process.

How will they fix the other problems?

It's a lapse in communication. It's inexperience on the blue line. It's unawareness--like Lars Eller admitting he hadn't even noticed that James Reimer left the game after the first period due to a sore neck and possible concussion, suffered in a collision with Brian Gionta.

Jacques Martin says special teams are usually the difference between winning and losing.

Bad penalties from experienced players and a penalty kill that's an inch off the cohesion they require to execute as they have over the last two seasons means a lot of pressure on the powerplay to make up the difference.

The powerplay is mismanaged, discombobulated and just failing.

They all share responsibility in these defaults, coaches and players alike.

Together, they'll have to find the solutions.

With this many problems, major changes could be around the corner if they don't.

Chance to Turn it Around

The Florida Panthers are in town tonight, and the Canadiens are icing a new fourth line due to Pierre Gauthier's most recent contribution to righting this ship.

Petteri Nokalainen, who came over in a trade with the Phoenix Coyotes yesterday (with AHL defenceman Garrett Stafford, in exchange for Brock Trotter and a 7th round pick) will replace Andreas Engqvist.

Michael Blunden will be opposite Mathieu Darche, with Aaron Palushaj joining Engqvist, en route to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Jaroslav Spacek is set to return after injuring his ribs in the Canadiens second game this season.

Peter Budaj is in for Carey Price.