Canadiens take a major hit in the standings after Mike Matheson error costs key loss vs Red Wings

The playoff race just took a turn. Juraj Slafkovsky scored his 25th of the season, but a late mistake by Mike Matheson cost the Canadiens a point in a 3-1 loss.

It’s fair to say the team’s lead disappeared quickly. With this 3-1 defeat, Montreal is now tied with the Red Wings and the Bruins at 84 points.

Let’s talk about Mike Matheson. The veteran unfortunately handed Alex DeBrincat the game-winning goal after losing his footing alone in his own zone with under four minutes to play.

It’s unfortunate because Jakub Dobes held strong with 25 saves. John Gibson simply had the final say, turning aside 31 shots in front of the home crowd.

Execution was not there in the third period. Martin St-Louis also showed his frustration with some younger players after the Red Wings’ tying goal.

The playoff race becomes a constant battle

The Atlantic Division currently looks like a massive traffic jam. Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, and Detroit are all stuck with the same point total in the standings.

Even Columbus and the Islanders are closing in dangerously on the Canadiens with 83 points. Every small lapse in focus becomes a direct threat to the team’s position.

The response needs to be immediate for Martin St-Louis’ group. There is no longer any real margin for error in the remaining schedule if they want to extend their season.

Simply put, Saturday’s matchup against the New York Islanders is taking on massive importance for what lies ahead in Montreal.

It will require sharp execution and a mistake-free defensive effort to get back in the win column. All eyes will be on how the players respond.