Nathan Beaulieu said the Canucks game, where the local heroes were doubled in shots but still won, was a wake-up call.

When you make your record no regulation losses in 10 games, no matter how poorly you have played, a win is not a wake-up call. In fact, it gives you a feeling of invincibility.

That's a sleeping pill, not a wake-up.

Now on the other hand, when the Columbus Blue Jackets are making you look like a Midget AAA team in a rout, that is some smelling salts.

After a rout, you're listening to the coach.

Now you're paying attention. Now you're skating harder.

Because nothing wakes one up faster than embarrassment.

And that folks was embarrassing.

8-0 at the end of the second period. A 10-nothing final.

 

The Habs were bad against Toronto, but Price.

The Habs were bad against Vancouver, but Price.

The Habs were bad against Columbus and this time no 'buts'.

No 'ifs' either.

Lots of 'ands' though.

As in... And what is Plekanec doing this season. It would seem unfair to put a bull's eye on one player here but if the arrow fits, fire it.

We're still waiting for Plekanec to show he's worth the $6 million he's getting paid.

Hell, we're waiting for him to be worth an entry-level deal. All I see is a guy in his mid-30s looking like he's moving real quickly into his late 30s.

I've been Tomas Plekanec's biggest backer but I'm going to need some Robaxacet if he doesn't find some game soon.

This would be a rapid fall from grace but one can't hide too much longer from the statistic: 10 goals in 86 games.

I believe the Habs will ride Carey Price, Al Montoya and their collective .930 along with a little better than average shooting percentage of 9.5 to a 100 to 110 point season, but if you are outshot 40-20 each night then you're going to need a 150 PDO instead of a 102.

You can't get dominated like that and it's up to the co-coaches to figure something out.

 

Alex Radulov needs to play on his natural side. Let him play where he knows.

Galchenyuk and Radulov should click but let him play on the right.

Then let's see what Pacioretty can do as two offensive set-up men look to find the sniper.

The coaches tried to wake up Plekanec by giving him his line mates from the start of last season.

I want to see the three best together: Pacioretty on the left; Galchenyuk at centre; Radulov on the right.

 

Apart from that, the offensive issue seems to be two fold:

1. They need a second-line centre. It's not Plekanec anymore it appears. It's not Desharnais anymore, though he's had some fine moments this season at least. Marc Bergevin needs to find someone here. Win the middle. Win the game. Word is that Bergevin wants to go for it with this team right now and right now he needs a better second centre.

2. Their hole to start the season of puck-moving transitional defence seems to be an issue some nights. You don't get outshot 40-20 unless your D are having trouble moving the puck up and out. Shoot me, but I think they played better transitional hockey when Weber and Beaulieu played together.

 

Apart from that, a little less looking at the next guy for help and a little more looking at yourself.

Nothing to panic about here. You're first in the NHL but clearly some things to address for the coaches, the GM, and the players.

If Carey Price stops 50, you still likely lose if he has his usual .930 save percentage when you are only firing 20. The game can't be played exclusively in your end no matter how good your goalie is.

So let's try playing in the other end a bit next time and see how that goes.

Or there are going to be many more difficult wake-up calls instead of those lip service ones.