MONTREAL - At the start of the season, most Habs fans were dreaming of a piece of metal that players' hoist overhead on a victory lap. But many are now daydreaming about a totally different metallic object: a tank.
Entering Thursday night's game in Edmonton, many fans on Canadiens' discussion forums had changed their obsession from winning the Stanley Cup, to tanking, or losing games, in an effort to earn a higher draft pick this spring.
The Habs and Oilers are currently fighting for 29th place in the overall standings.
Depending on a series of factors, including the outcome of the game in Edmonton, Montreal losses could increase their chances of getting one of the top three ranked prospects, currently thought to be Nail Yakupov, Mathew Dumba and Mikhail Grigorenko.
The Habs are coming off a disappointing 5-4 loss in Calgary, where the deciding goal was scored off a Carey Price braincramp giveway, which spoiled a two-goal performance by Max Pacioretty.
The Canadiens have not been having much fun lately. They sit last in the East with 60 points. They have lost seven of eight and four straight on the road. Montreal is 13-17-2 in road games this season and will finish their current road trip with games in Vancouver and Buffalo.
The Oilers sit 14th of 15 teams in the Western Conference and are well out of a playoff spot. They have, however, been hot of late, winning straight, thanks to solid netminding from Devan Dubnyk.
The Oilers have beaten the Canadiens on eight of Montreal's last visit to Edmonton.
Andrei Markov did not practice with the team Thursday, as he had the flu. Scott Gomez will make his return, as will Aaron Palushaj.
