Struggling in San Jose

SAN JOSE - Shea Weber didn't mince words when it came to summing up the feeling inside the locker room following Tuesday night's defeat in Northern California.

"I don't think anyone in here should be happy," said the veteran rearguard, just minutes after Claude Julien's contingent dropped a 5-2 decision to the Sharks at the SAP Center. "Losing sucks and everyone hates it."
It marked the 11th straight time that the Canadiens came out on the wrong side of the scoresheet in San Jose dating back to 2001.
More importantly, though, it also extended their current winless streak to five games early on this year, dropping their record to 1-4-1.

By their own admission, penalty trouble and a razor sharp Sharks power play ultimately did the Canadiens in during their first of three straight games in the Golden State.
Four different Habs paid a visit to the penalty box during the middle frame alone, and forwards Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture both capitalized on their opportunities to find the back of the net while the Sharks were enjoying the man advantage.
"They have a tremendous power play every year, and I think we know to stay out of the box. It gives them life," explained captain Max Pacioretty, after witnessing the Sharks' power play prowess first hand. "Even if they don't score, I feel like they make plays and get the puck, so they feel good about their game 5-on-5 and they use that momentum and that chemistry from their power play to take over games."

Likewise, Weber indicated that the Canadiens proved to be their own worst enemy in a less-than-stellar second period.
"Being undisciplined against a team that gets so much from its power play, there's no excuse. You've just got to find a way to be better," stressed Weber, who was on the ice for four of the Sharks' goals, including both of their power play markers. "You've got to do a job and unfortunately they got two power play goals in the second. We've got to limit their opportunities. We talked about their deadly power play, and they kind of got life there."
Fortunately, there isn't any time to dwell on this particular performance with a tilt against the Los Angeles Kings on the docket on Wednesday night at STAPLES Center - and Pacioretty wouldn't have it any other way.
"It's a very poor start from our team, from myself and a lot of individuals, but who's going to feel sorry for us? We're playing another good team with an opportunity to turn this around," noted Pacioretty. "As upset as we are right now, it doesn't do us any good to feel sorry for ourselves. It's a good time to look in the mirror and see what we're made of because a lot of people are probably doubting this team right now. I know it's only six games into the year, and it's very, very frustrating, but this is what makes you a stronger player."
Weber is certainly in agreement there, emphasizing the need for the group as a whole to remain united in hopes of overcoming these early obstacles sooner rather than later.
"I think the biggest thing for us is we're being tested right now. We've got to find a way to stick together and battle through it," shared Weber, who scored his first goal of the season on Tuesday night. "Pucks aren't bouncing our way. We've got to find a way to create those chances and get the pucks to bounce our way. It's tough, but we've got to stick together in here."