The Montreal Canadiens have dug themselves quite a hole.

Despite the stellar start to their season, their mid-season slump dropped them out of playoff contention, and even with three straight wins the Habs remain three points out of a playoff spot.

The team is behind Pittsburgh with the Penguins having three games in hand.

For now though, they're getting good goaltending from Ben Scrivens and they have an extremely hot line working well.

Tomas Plekanec had hit a wall with just one goal in more than 20 games, but in the past week he's found a second wind and picked up eight points in four games.

"It was longer than it should be. I'm not a fan of saying we didn't get bounces but you play differently when you get good first periods in you, and we got ourselves in a hole," said Plekanec.

"It was longer than it should be but hopefully we can come out."

Plekanec is still playing on a line with Brendan Gallagher, but is now joined by Alex Galchenyuk.

"You know it feels good to contribute and win games," said Galchenyuk.

"It's huge and we're going out there making plays and Pleky is hot right now. We're just trying to give him the puck as much as we can."

Gallagher seems to bring out the best most of the time. He's perhaps the only forward who hasn't at one time slumped this season, although the team's low point coincided with his broken hand.

"Pleky is a simple guy to play with. He makes our job easier. Look at my goal tonight, and Pleky is coming back defending and the goal doesn't happen if he doesn't defend," said Gallagher.

"Plekky plays a great 200 foot game like he always does. Chucky is doing a great job of battling and competing and were having success because of it."

Gallagher is quick to say, however, the team still needs to work.

"And we understand we are tough to play against if we are using the cycle. That's where we can be dangerous. Right now pucks are going in and we have to understand why," he said.

Plekanec added that this new line works well.

"We all have certain roles on the line we are trying to do. Gally is a huge player for us winning the battles along the boards, getting pucks out of feet, and Chucky is the playmaker, and I'm just trying to back them up and trying to do whatever's left for me out there," said Plekanec.

Despite the criticism about the Habs, Plekanec, Galchenyuk and Gallagher are on pace for the same total points they usually get.

Right now, they may be the force that drives the Habs to a playoff push.