Let's accentuate the positive:

• Canadiens played probably their best first period of the season. And the second wasn't too shabby either.

• They scored seven goals against a Stanley

Andrei Kostitsyn prepares to shovel in one of his two goals tonight, beating Ottawa goalie Martin Gerber and defenceman Chris Phillips.
John Mahoney, Gazette

Updated Standings

It was the best of times: a seemingly insurmountable 7-1 lead after 40 minutes, total domination of an Ottawa team that has kicked Canadiens butt all season.

But it

Pat Hickey reports from today's Canadiens practice that head coach Guy Carbonneau expects to use the same lineup tomorrow vs. the Ottawa Senators as that which he used

One team played postseason hockey at the Bell Centre last night.

It was not your Montreal Canadiens.

Ottawa wanted it more, and the Senators played that way: tight, hard-hitting, highly-disciplined

Updated at 10:34 pm with full audio

Ottawa Senators' Jason Spezza celebrates his first-period goal, his joy not impressing Canadiens goalie Carey Price.
Allen McInnis, Gazette

Doesn't sound right, does it?

How about this then: F.ifth place?

The loss to Ottawa and a shootout win by New Jersey left Canadiens behind the Devils, the Senators, the

Any shrinks or dream interpreters out there?

I had a dream last night in which Alex Kovalev is standing on a downtown street and I'm looking up at him.

A member of the Scotiabank Place ice crew gathers up hats tossed on the ice to celebrate Jason Spezza's three goals. And yes, that's a Canadiens tuque among