Canadiens admit they lack confidence after being shut out again

Claude Julien's arrival hasn't yet invigorated the Montreal Canadiens the way other coaching changes have rejuvenated some of their Eastern Conference counterparts, and he believes the problem is self-esteem.

"There's certainly a lack of confidence when you don't score. You can see the guys are frustrated," the Canadiens head coach said after they were blanked 3-0 by the New York Islanders on Thursday night, according to NHL.com's Arpon Basu.

"The execution, the plays that don't become scoring chances, those things are totally confidence."

Montreal has scored only three goals in the three games since Julien took over, and the only victory so far in his second go-around with the club came following a shootout Tuesday against the New York Rangers.

The Canadiens' scoring woes predate Julien's arrival, though. They've now been shut out in four of their last eight games, and they're 2-7-1 in their last 10.

The captain agrees with his head coach's assessment.

"It seems like at times when you don't have confidence we're just content with going out there, make it look like you're working hard," Max Pacioretty said.

"You've got to want to be a difference-maker, every time you're on the ice you've got to want to change the game. Whether that comes with confidence or, I'm not sure how to get it, but everyone's got to have that mindset, and it's obvious that that's not the mindset."

The Canadiens haven't relinquished their lead in the Atlantic Division all season, but they're in danger of being usurped by the Ottawa Senators on Friday night. The Senators sit two points back with three games in hand.

Montreal will look to gain some of that much-needed confidence when it faces the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night.