After a 5-4 shootout loss to Ottawa,

from Eric Engels of Sportsnet,

Some numbers for you, none of them flattering for the Montreal Canadiens:

One, as in one power-play goal for the Canadiens in their last 21 attempts. Two, as in two consecutive Canadiens losses to the Ottawa Senators, who are bringing up the rear of the all-Canadian North Division. Three, as in three Canadiens losses in four games against those pesky Sens. Four, as in the minimum amount of penalties the Canadiens take per game. Five, as in five Canadiens losses in the last six games. Six, as in six Canadiens losses in their last eight games.

Here’s a big one: 69.5, as in millions. That’s what Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin paid out to Joel Edmundson, Josh Anderson and Tyler Toffoli to fill three of four needs he had identified going into the off-season. This was after he addressed his most pressing one with the acquisition of backup Jake Allen and just before he solidified the bottom end of the roster with Stanley Cup winners Corey Perry and Michael Frolik.

I might be the world’s worst mathematician, but even I can see this adds up to head coach Claude Julien’s job being in jeopardy. If you think the GM is going to sit on his hands while his team slips further away from an inspiring 7-1-2 start to the season, think again.

Internal expectations were high to begin with, with owner Geoff Molson and Bergevin saying the Canadiens had everything they needed to be a playoff team this year. They were kicked up a notch or two with a season-opening 4-0-2 road trip. And we doubt they’ve dropped off despite this recent skid from first to barely clinging to fourth in the division with a 9-5-4 record.

So the most pertinent question now is, how much time does Julien have left?

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Watch the game highlights below.