Standing up to adversity

BUFFALO - The Canadiens were put through a high-intensity practice after suffering a second straight defeat on Wednesday.

After a promising start to the season, Claude Julien's troops are trying to reconnect with what's been working well for them in the early going of the campaign.
Having allowed 10 goals in two games, the players are aware of the importance of remedying their situation as quickly as possible.
"We have to tighten up our game and be more aggressive. We also have to stop the other team from taking speed and being better in our own zone," outlined Andrew Shaw. "Our defensive game has to be better supported, not just by one man, but by everyone."

A compressed schedule over the past two weeks might explain a certain fatigue factor with the club, but Tomas Tatar for one does not see that as a viable excuse.
"I think everyone is feeling a bit tired, but it's not an excuse. We have to find a way to improve our game. We had a good practice today. It's hard to keep up the same pace for 82 games, but I think this team has what it takes to find our game," assured the man known in the room as 'Tuna'. "We knew this week would be tough, especially after the trip out West. Buffalo is on a winning streak, so we'll have to play our best game tomorrow because it won't be easy."

The Habs' head coach believes that fatigue is more of a mental one that physical for the players.
"We're making mental mistakes because we're not making good decisions," he explained. "So we need to take up the challenge of being stronger mentally with such a loaded schedule."
Weber close to a return
At Thursday's practice, injured captain Shea Weber got physical and made contact with his teammates on several occasions. Following the session, Julien shared that the towering defenseman's return was imminent.
"If things continue going this way, there's a chance we'll see Shea on Tuesday," he declared. "We don't want to rush anything, but it's going well so there's a good chance he'll play against Carolina on Tuesday."
The captain's presence in the lineup will be an important one for the team, but Julien noted that doesn't necessarily mean it's the solution to the Habs' current woes.
"He's the captain of this team and his leadership will help us, for sure. However, Shea's return won't solve all our problems," he added. "It'll definitely help us because right now, we're not killing enough plays and we know that Shea is excellent at that. But everyone needs to be better."
Among the players, Carey Price counts himself among those who is most excited to see Weber back.
"We're excited to know he'll be back soon. He's an important part of our team and it's hard to replace a guy like him," affirmed the 31-year-old netminder. "His presence in the room is really important.
"I've missed the sight of that big guy mugging guys in front of me."
Price feeling good
Price spent a good amount of time in front of the cameras and microphones following practice at KeyBank Center, and assured reporters he's been feeling better about his game.
"I feel good, really good even. The trip out West really helped. I think what I said was exaggerated a bit, but it's a game that's very demanding mentally and it can't be perfect every time," he professed. "That's why it's important to take time to find solutions."

For Price, the fact the team is currently in playoff position is an achievement in and of itself.
"That was one of our goals, to be in playoff position at this point of the year. We succeeded, but there's a lot of work to be done. We know we need to be better," he concluded. "It's obvious that we have to be better in several areas of our game."
Claude Julien also announced that it would be Antti Niemi who would face the Sabres on Friday in Buffalo, meaning Price will be in nets to take on the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre on Saturday.