Max Pacioretty says there’s still plenty of hockey to be played, but considering the Canadiens’ performance Monday night, that might be good news for the team’s long-suffering fans.

Faced with yet another must-win situation, the Canadiens served up a stinker, losing 6-2 to the Arizona Coyotes in what Tomas Pekanec described as the Canadiens’ worst game of the season.

Pacioretty offered some brave words when he said the Canadiens had to regroup and be ready to face the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday in Denver.

“We have to bounce back,” said Pacioretty, who had one shot on goal and finished at minus-3. “We have to go to the rink tomorrow and help each other get better. There’s still 25 games to play.”

The problem is that Pacioretty said the same thing Friday night in Buffalo after Montreal lost 5-4.

The Canadiens should have been prepared for this game. They flew in late after the Buffalo game, but they had a day off Saturday and should have been more rested than the Coyotes, who were playing their fourth game in six nights.

“We weren’t good enough,” P.K. Subban said. “Everyone has to look in the mirror now and ask themselves if they’re playing their best hockey now. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, we just have to find a way to play our best hockey. We need guys to elevate their games.”

continued