The Canadiens had the Los Angeles Kings right where they wanted on Thursday. Montreal's visitors had played the night before and surrendered 16 goals in three straight losses.
The result, however, was a 4-1 defeat for the Habs.
"I'm definitely disappointed," Montreal captain Nick Suzuki told reporters postgame. "I think it was an immature effort from us, especially with them playing yesterday and getting in late. I think we gave them too much life and let them feel comfortable in the game. So, it's on us to be a lot better than that."
He added: "It's just mistakes that - if we want to actually be a good team in this league - we have to clean up."
Other players seemed to agree with Suzuki's assessment. Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson said the Canadiens can "get overly excited" when they have the puck and sometimes prioritize making a high-end play over "the simple play." Forward Jake Evans pointed out that his team has been rebuilding for "quite a while" and added that it's "time to step up," according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.
Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis thinks his players hit the nail on the head with their assessment.
"To me, when somebody's mature, it's usually based on their decision-making, right?" he said. "So they're not wrong."
The Kings outshot the Canadiens 32-27 during the contest and dictated 53.3% of the expected goals and 57.1% of the shot attempts at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. Three of Los Angeles' goals were the direct result of a faceoff win.
Though the first period ended 1-1, Evans said the first 20 minutes were a "wasted opportunity" for his club.
"It's frustrating. ... We could have taken it to them, and we just didn't at all," he explained. "We were turning pucks over, there was not much of a forecheck going on."
St. Louis was particularly baffled by the 14 turnovers committed by the Canadiens in the opening frame, especially after he emphasized a good start prior to the contest.
"It's unacceptable. It gives them life," he said, according to The Canadian Press. "Then you're chasing the game for the second half of it. We didn't play to our standard. I'm really disappointed. Really disappointed."
The loss dropped the Canadiens to 2-3-0 on the season. Montreal finished the last three campaigns under .500 as its rebuild marched on, but the young club is looking to make strides during St. Louis' third full year behind the bench.
The Hall of Famer vowed to get the Canadiens' latest missteps in check - and fast.
"I'm definitely proactive," St. Louis said. "It's gonna get fixed."
Montreal continues its campaign Saturday against the New York Islanders.
