Since Ducharme assumed the top job, the Canadiens dropped back-to-back games to the Winnipeg Jets. Nevertheless, Ducharme's troops delivered a far better performance in the second contest when they were edged 2-1 in overtime.
Montreal dominated the play with a 41-21 shot advantage, and if it wasn't for the outstanding play of Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Ducharme likely would've collected his first victory as an NHL head coach.
But, the 2013 Memorial Cup champion with the Halifax Mooseheads believes that it's just a matter of time until the Habs get back in the win column on a consistent basis.
"I like the way the players are receptive. They want to work. I'm happy with our progress," mentioned Ducharme, during Monday's press conference on the South Shore. "I think we're heading in the right direction. The results will come."
The Canadiens are winless in their last five games, having secured their most recent victory on February 13 against the Maple Leafs.
The players, however, insist they can learn a lot from this tough stretch.
"We're a team that's going through some adversity right now. I honestly think that it could be a good thing. It's good to experience adversity. It makes you a stronger team down the line," explained defenseman Joel Edmundson. "It starts with a big game tomorrow against Ottawa. We want to walk away with two points and just build off that. We've been in a slump, but as long as we're learning from it and getting better every day, which I think we are right now, it could be a good thing in the long run."