There's no way around it – PK Subban lost the puck trying to make a play in the offensive zone late in a 2-2 game Wednesday night, but it's just as obvious that when the Canadiens and Avalanche hit the blue line 100 feet later, it was a 3-on-3 and every man had a man… until they didn't.
Yet after the game, head coach Michel Therrien pointed a finger directly at his star, saying an “individualistic” play cost the team the game.
Subban blamed a bad break for the giveaway that led to the game-winning goal.
“If I had to do it again, I probably would try not to have lost an edge. He didn’t push me, he didn’t really do anything, I just crossed over and lost an edge and the puck was there for him,” he said.
The rumours have been swirling lately about divisions on the ice and in the Canadiens’ locker room, and those rumours make for great sports talk radio.
TSN 690 has never been more popular; fans are enraged and engaged. Tony Marinaro hosts the morning show. He hears the anger at Therrien over the worst record for a Canadiens coach since 1940. In fact, Marinaro's angry too.
“At this stage of the season where the Canadiens are fighting for their playoff lives, can you really bench the best player on our team, keep him on the bench with a minute left when you need a goal to tie the hockey game? PK knows he made a mistake, but how many guys have made mistakes on this team?” he said.
Fellow host Simon Tsalikis says Therrien’s post-game comment was a bad move.
“There was no reason for that call out. I know it was a bad play, it was a terrible turnover, everyone knows it. [Subban] doesn't need to be reminded of that,” he said.
Last month, general manager Marc Bergevin held a news conference and said he wouldn’t fire Therrien this season.
“Bergevin went out and made that statement, and that point, you could call for the coach (to be fired), but it’s on marc Bergevin now. You’re just waiting to see if he will go back on his word. Does he want to go back on his word? I don't think he does,”said Sean Campbell, another voice on the station.
With the fans irate about Therrien’s seemingly guaranteed job amid a baffling downward spiral and the media taking sides supporting Subban, Therrien or Max Pacioretty (who also played a key role in giving up that final goal), it seems the only winner is talk radio, the perfect medium for those who have a strong opinion. And these days, that’s everyone.