Reality is beginning to set in for the Montreal Canadiens.
With only 30 dates remaining on the regular-season schedule and a record of 5-20-1 in their past 26 games - including Wednesday's loss to the Buffalo Sabres - head coach Michel Therrien acknowledges his team faces an uphill battle, and one they likely won't win.
#Habs coach Michel Therrien: "We are very aware that it's going to be difficult to make the playoffs."
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) February 4, 2016
The club has been playing without league-MVP Carey Price for the majority of the season, an undeniable factor in the team's slide.
This reality surely played a role in Therrien being given a vote of confidence by general manager Marc Bergevin back on Jan. 21, with an assurance that his job was safe for the balance of the regular season.
Yes, the Canadiens are only five points out of a playoff spot, and did post an early record of 19-4-3. But they would have to leapfrog five teams in order to grab a wild-card spot, meaning Therrien's assessment is spot on.