Andrei Markov was facing a phalanx of reporters as his face dripped with sweat, explaining how he felt "lost" at time on the ice in his first game of the season for the Canadiens.

Brian Gionta was across the room, addressing a similarly large group about how some of the bad habits the Canadiens showed in Long Island had crept into this 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, and also explaining how he hit the post on a wide open net and was victimized by a great block from Dennis Wideman when he had another open net moments later during a 5-on-3 to open the third that would have tied the game.

Sitting more or less alone right next to the Gionta scrum, waiting his turn, was an angry Michael Cammalleri.

He was saying to me not very long ago that as long as offensive players are getting scoring chances, the frustration of not scoring is somewhat lessened because at least you know you're doing everything right except the very final step.

But now the frustration was evident on his face as he had two great chances all alone in the slot in this game, and missed the net both times.

"I can't be missing the net there," he said, shaking his head. "I've got to hit the net."

Yes, it was a frustrating night for the Canadiens, compounded by the splendid play of Tomas Vokoun and his 40 saves in the Panthers goal.

Mood should remain optimistic 

But all in all, it's hard not to be optimistic with our first look at the real Montreal Canadiens, with all their moving parts in place.

Markov, though he did look out of sync and missed several easy passes he normally makes in his sleep, was still an impact player for his club. He showed that a so-so game for him is far better than most players can dream of playing.

"For a first game, I think he gave us a good performance," Jacques Martin said of his top defenceman. "He had an impact on the game."

The one area where Markov was not permitted to have an impact was a crucial 5-on-3 for 1:25 to start the third with the Canadiens trailing by a goal.

Though Martin had used Markov for 14:39 of the first 40 minutes, including 2:53 on the power play, he decided not to send him out for that power play.

Martin explained afterwards that Markov didn't usually play on the first unit of the 5-on-3 power play last season, which is simply false. In fact, I would have trouble remembering a single time last season that Markov was not out there with Marc-Andre Bergeron for a 5-on-3.

But the second part of his response was in fact true, that the five guys he decided to send out – P.K. Subban, Andrei Kostitsyn, Tomas Plekanec, Gionta and Cammalleri – generated several quality chances to score.

But they didn't, and it's become a recurring weakness amid so many strengths over these first 11 games for the Habs.

And frankly, I have to believe this will remedy itself in due time as Markov gets more and more comfortable on the ice, because we saw Saturday what he brings to a power play unit and the constant threat he is for the opposing team.

In the meantime, the Canadiens can revel in a 7-3-1 start to the season, one accomplished by turning a lot of last year's weaknesses – 5-on-5 play and team defence – into strengths.

They just weren't strengths on this one night.