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Montreal Canadiens vs. Edmonton Oilers: 3 Things to Watch

Montreal Canadiens vs. Edmonton Oilers: 3 Things to Watch

The Montreal Canadiens can't buy a win right now and it won't get any easier as they face off against the Edmonton Oilers and rookie wunderkind Connor McDavid at the Bell Centre on Saturday afternoon.

Will the Oilers continue their post All-Star break roll? Or will the Habs re-find their game in time to make a last ditch push back into the playoff picture? Here are three things to watch as Montreal host Edmonton.

1. 'Are you gonna quit?'

The Habs decline has been as remarkable as it was improbable.

In October and November, this was a team that looked like a Stanley Cup contender, but in December and January they lost it all.

The players can't explain the collapse but, with or without an explanation, the team is forced to face the reality that after earning only 13 points since Dec. 1st the odds of making the playoffs are thin.

Still coach Michel Therrien remains hopeful it can be done. He stood at the podium at the Habs practice facility in Brossard on Friday and admitted that making the playoffs will be a challenge but added, "Are you gonna quit? No! You're gonna give it all."

To this team's credit, in spite of all the problems the Habs have endured recently their effort hasn't wavered and the group has sticking together.

2. Connor McDavid...welcome to Montreal!

This will be Connor McDavid's first NHL game in Montreal and it should be a treat for hockey fans in the city.

McDavid started the season with much fan fare but went down with a clavicle break only 13 games in.

He missed the next 37 games but now that he back he doesn't appear to have missed a beat.

McDavid scored a stunning goal in his first game back against the Blue Jacket and then showed some blossoming chemistry with Jordan Eberle by setting him up with two goals against the Senators in Ottawa. Watch to see what magic McDavid has in store for this game.


3. Kassian Returns

Zack Kassian was supposed to play for the Montreal Canadiens this season, but a truck wreck in the early hours of a Sunday morning in October derailed those plans. He went to rehab following the accident and then when he was cleared to return to play he was traded to the Oilers.

Kassian appears to be fitting in quite nicely in Edmonton and he says he wants to leave his mistakes in Montreal in the past and show that he's changed.

Many Canadiens fans believe GM Marc Bergevin was too harsh when he decided to cut ties with Kassian after the incident in October.

Watch to see what kind of reception Kassian gets from the Bell Centre crowd today.