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[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from tonight's 4-3 Montreal Canadiens shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres, brought to you by Snap Bar in Rigaud and Biggs in Hudson.

1 - The Clock Is Ticking on Dach

Time is running out on Kirby Dach's tenure in Montreal. He's been given opportunity after opportunity, chance after chance, and simply hasn't taken advantage.

He started last week riding shotgun with Juraj Slafkovsky in the top six and finished the week playing fewer than eight minutes, despite the fact that the Canadiens only had 11 forwards dressed.

Tonight, he took a bad, unnecessary penalty after getting outmuscled and losing position on Zach Benson.

The only reason Dach is still in the lineup is because the Canadiens are dealing with injuries. When healthy, this team simply doesn't have a clear role or spot for him.

Acquiring Dach was one of Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton's first significant moves since taking charge of the Canadiens, but it's time to cut their losses.

If reports are true that Montreal was offered a second-round pick over the summer and that the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers are "drooling" at the possibility of acquiring him, get those teams on the phone ASAP.

2 - Lane Hutson Has His Best Game of the Season

Yes, it's early, and it's not as though Lane Hutson has been playing poorly, but tonight we saw Hutson at his best.

Buffalo had no answers when he had the puck, and there just seemed to be so much more open ice for him to work with.

Hutson opened the scoring with a power-play goal, and while his shot isn't his greatest weapon, it was expertly placed, with Phil Danault providing an excellent screen after winning the faceoff.

If Hutson can re-establish himself as a legitimate shooting threat, it'll open up even more options for Montreal's power play.

He then set up Josh Anderson with a nifty pass, drawing two defenders toward him and completely opening up Anderson for a one-timer from the left side.

Hutson will have other performances like this over the course of the season, but Montreal might need him to take on an even bigger role, if that's possible, given the Matheson injury.

3 - Rough Night for Engström

Some of it was bad luck, but Adam Engstrom had a night to forget.

It started in the first period when he made a soft play on the puck, turning it over and setting off a sequence that ended with a shot deflecting off him and into his own net.

In the second period, he made a terrific defensive play, using his reach to take away what looked like a quality scoring chance for Buffalo as Zach Benson tried to find Jack Quinn all alone.

Then, Josh Norris banked another shot off Engström to pull Buffalo within one.

The Canadiens have made it clear that they believe Engstrom is an NHL player. They traded Jayden Struble to create more room on the blue line, and that belief could be put to the test if Mike Matheson misses any significant amount of time.

There's a lot to like about Engstrom's game, particularly his skating and ability to transport the puck. But this was definitely a performance he'll want to put behind him as quickly as possible.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from tonight's 1-0 Montreal Canadiens shootout win against the Detroit Red Wings, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud and Biggs in Hudson.

1- Fowler Shines

Martin St. Louis surprised many of us by opting to start Jacob Fowler for a second consecutive game.

Fowler was fine on Thursday against the Nashville Predators but ultimately took the loss. The assumption was that Jakub Dobes would get the call against Detroit, with the two goaltenders splitting the starts when Montreal plays back-to-back games for the only time this month next week.

Fowler rewarded his coach's decision and was Montreal's best player.

One of Detroit's biggest strengths is its power play, and with Montreal's penalty kill struggling, the Canadiens needed their goaltender to be their best penalty killer. Fowler delivered.

He made several outstanding saves, including one on a Viktor Arvidsson redirection, another moving from right to left to rob Alex DeBrincat following a brutal turnover by Noah Dobson, and a stop on Andrew Copp in alone.

Oh... And how about six saves in the shootout as well?!

Fowler looks NHL-ready, and more importantly, he needs to play.

The Canadiens are going to have to make a decision regarding their goaltending situation sooner rather than later. Fowler has demonstrated that he belongs at this level, and continuing to kick the can down the road doesn't seem particularly fair to a young goaltender who has earned an opportunity.

At some point, the Canadiens need to figure out how they're going to make room for him.

2- The Return of Kaiden Guhle

Kaiden Guhle returned to the lineup, and you certainly wouldn't have known he'd missed training camp and the preseason.

Guhle brings a different dimension to Montreal's defence. He's a physical presence, plays with tremendous pace, and is positionally sound. His ability to close gaps, separate opponents from the puck and immediately transition the other way is something the Canadiens have been missing.

There was one sequence where he absolutely hammered Keegan Kolesar, then hustled up the ice and nearly converted on a one-timer, although he ultimately whiffed on the opportunity.

He also delivered a massive hit on Lucas Raymond, another reminder of the physical element he brings to a Montreal lineup that could certainly use more of it.

His return also gives Martin St. Louis some much-needed flexibility. With a healthy Guhle in the lineup, the coaching staff can redistribute some of the heavier minutes and responsibilities that have fallen on other defencemen.

The only lingering concern is his availability.

There's very little question about what Guhle brings when he's healthy. The challenge now is staying in the lineup and proving he can withstand the demands of a full NHL season.

Because when he's available, he makes the Canadiens a noticeably better team.

3- We Want Larkin!

I have to admit, I was surprised by the chants of "We want Larkin!" at the Bell Centre.

And this wasn't just a handful of fans trying to get something started. The chants were clearly audible, happened several times throughout the night, and made for a pretty interesting atmosphere.

The reaction online was predictably divided. Some fans loved it, while others seemed to think the Canadiens faithful should have been booing Dylan Larkin every time he touched the puck.

But what's the problem?

Will a few chants from the crowd convince Larkin to waive his no-movement clause and come to Montreal? Probably not. But they certainly can't hurt.

And when you consider the players who have been available or could potentially become available, I'm not sure there's a better fit for Montreal's second-line centre position.

Larkin brings speed, experience, offensive production and the ability to play in all situations. He's exactly the type of player who could help take this team to another level.

If he were willing to waive his no-movement clause to come to Montreal, you'd have to imagine the Canadiens would be aggressive in pursuing him.

And I completely disagree with the suggestion that the fans were being "pathetic" or "begging" for a player to come here.

Maybe those chants give Larkin something to think about. Maybe they don't change his mind one bit.

But here's a city with a passionate fan base, an exciting young team and aspirations of competing for a Stanley Cup. Why shouldn't Canadiens fans want to show a player like Larkin what playing in Montreal could be like?

He could be one of the final pieces of the puzzle.

Even if nothing comes of it, it's all in good fun.

Lighten up, people.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from tonight’s 6-5 Montreal Canadiens loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud and Biggs in Hudson.

1- Caufield keeps the reputation alive

Cole Caufield was one of Montreal’s standouts tonight, and he kept his reputation as Mr. Saturday Night alive. What impressed me most about his first goal was how the play started with the puck on his stick back in the defensive zone. He made a really crafty play to get the rush going, waiting patiently before hitting a streaking Lane Hutson.

The finish was vintage Caufield: a wrist shot from just inside the circle, placed with the kind of accuracy he can deliver consistently. He got his first of the season, then added a second one for good measure in the third period.

The Saturday night moniker is starting to get a little crazy. Last season, he had 21 goals in 23 Saturday games, and now his total is up to 64. Yes, he scores on other nights, too.

2- The Cardiac Canadiens never quit

For most of the night, it looked like this one was getting away from Montreal. Pittsburgh went up 5-1, but Nick Suzuki gave the Canadiens some life with a goal just before the end of the second to make it 5-2. Then, in the third, Pittsburgh appeared to make it 6-3, until Montreal challenged the play and it was ruled offside. That was a massive break, and the Canadiens took advantage.

The comeback really came alive in the final 70 seconds. Chris Kreider scored his first as a Canadien to make it 5-4, with Ivan Demidov picking up a secondary assist. Then Sam Girard iced the puck, Phillip Danault won a huge faceoff, and Demidov buried the tying goal. Demidov had been quiet for much of the night, but he came up with a secondary assist on both goals when Montreal needed him most.

They didn’t get the win, but they forced overtime and salvaged a point in a game that looked all but over. This team doesn’t panic, and it’s never out of a game. They feed off Martin St. Louis’ demeanour, and once it gets to 3-on-3, they’re usually dangerous even though they didn't come all the way back in this one. Since 2024, they’ve come back to win 48 games, the most of any team in the league. The Cardiac Canadiens are very real.

3 - What happened to Suzuki on breakaways!?

Remember when Nick Suzuki used to be lights out on breakaways? He was money. He rarely missed and always seemed to have another trick up his sleeve. He made it look easy. Now it looks like he can’t buy one.

In the second period, he had a breakaway where he was so alone it may as well have been a penalty shot, and Arturs Silovs turned him aside with relative ease. It was a big swing moment in the game. A goal there maybe changes the whole complexion of it.

Suzuki went 5-for-7 in the shootout in one season and, at one point, was a 50 per cent shooter overall, which is exceptional. I know a breakaway is different, and he did score on a semi-breakaway/broken play to make it 5-2. But seriously, can anyone explain what happened to this part of his game?

@tsn690

[Brian Wilde @BWildeMTL]

I am sorry I have to make such a sad appeal to you all.

Please, if you enjoy the work, repost it.

Each year it’s a mystery whether the COTW continues. Only through page views does it avoid the axe.

Thank you.

[Tony Marinaro @TonyMarinaro]

This is so powerful and so true.

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from Montreal’s 6-3 Game 5 win over the Buffalo Sabres, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1- St. Louis sticks with his guy

Everyone immediately started thinking about a potential goalie change when Jakub Dobes allowed three goals on the first four shots of the game. But once again, Martin St. Louis showed he has a great feel for both his team and his goaltenders.

Dobes could be given a bit of a pass on the first couple goals, but the third one scored by Konsta Helenius is one you absolutely want your goalie to stop.

To Dobes’ credit, he bounced back. He weathered the storm for the rest of the first period and slammed the door shut the rest of the way. One of the best traits a goalie can have is the ability to immediately forget a bad goal, and Dobes did exactly that.

Sometimes goaltenders are remembered more for the big saves than the bad goals. The perfect example came with Buffalo leading 3-2 when Tage Thompson broke in alone. Dobes stayed patient, outwaited him on the forehand move, and made a huge save to keep the deficit at one. Moments later, Montreal tied the game.

Had Buffalo scored a fourth in the opening period, maybe Jacob Fowler makes his NHL playoff debut. Instead, Dobes reset himself and gave Montreal a chance to come back.

2- The top line fills the scoresheet

Montreal’s top line has been under the microscope all playoffs, especially their production at 5-on-5. But Game 5 was exactly what the Canadiens needed.

Cole Caufield stayed hot, scoring for a third straight game and finally getting his first even-strength goal of the postseason. Nick Suzuki once again showed tremendous patience with the puck before sliding another perfect setup onto Caufield’s tape, while Juraj Slafkovsky deserves credit for keeping the play alive to start the sequence.

After seven power-play opportunities in Game 4, whistles were much quieter in this one as Buffalo played a far more disciplined game. But the first penalty they did take was a brutal one by Tage Thompson, who continues to struggle.

Montreal made them pay quickly. Slafkovsky made a terrific play in tight to set up Suzuki for what turned into a massive goal and a real backbreaker for Buffalo. The Canadiens finished 2-for-2 on the power play.

Montreal is still waiting for Slafkovsky’s first goal of the series at even strength, but he was excellent again with a pair of assists and nearly scored himself after ringing one off the post early in the second period.

This season has been a constant example of Montreal fixing problems on the fly. Every time it feels like a player or part of the game needs correcting, they seem to find an answer.

3- Ivan Demidov finally breaks through

Ivan Demidov finally scored his first career playoff goal, and you could feel it coming for a while now.

While he’s been producing assists and helping the power play, he had gone 11 playoff games this postseason without scoring after also failing to score in five playoff games against Washington last year. That made it 16 straight playoff games without a goal.

The important thing is it was never for a lack of effort. Demidov was arguably Montreal’s most dangerous offensive player all night and was constantly generating chances. In fact, before finally scoring, he had recorded 32 scoring chances, the most of any player in the playoffs without a goal.

Earlier in the game, it looked like he might finally get one when a puck trickled behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, but Jake Evans gave it the final shove over the line.

In the third period, Demidov left no doubt. He got the puck in the high slot and ripped a perfect wrist shot past Alex Lyon, who had entered in relief of Luukkonen.

And if Demidov starts getting hot offensively, he could quickly become a nightmare matchup for opposing teams. There simply aren’t many players who can create offense the way he can.

Considering how disastrous the opening minutes looked for Montreal, it’s hard to imagine a better outcome than the one they got in Game 5.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from tonight’s 5-1 Montreal Canadiens Game 2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1- What a dream start

Playing from behind isn’t easy, and Montreal rarely had to do it in Round 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In Game 1 of this series, the Canadiens spent the entire night chasing the game and couldn’t find a way to dig themselves out of the hole.

They completely flipped the script in Game 2, forcing Buffalo to chase from the opening minutes, and the formula wasn’t complicated: get bodies to the net and throw pucks at Alex Lyon.

The first goal came from strong puck pursuit by Montreal, with Alex Newhook driving into traffic and deflecting a Kaiden Guhle shot past Lyon. The second was the result of an offensive-zone faceoff win by Phillip Danault and a seeing-eye shot from Mike Matheson that found its way through. For Matheson, it was his first playoff goal since 2022 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Faceoffs were a major edge for Montreal all night, and those quick strikes early completely took the crowd out of the game in Buffalo. The Canadiens grabbed control early and never let go.

2- Newhook shines

Montreal’s best player tonight was Alex Newhook. Not only because he scored two big goals, but because he was noticeable every single shift.

His skating and acceleration have always been his biggest strengths, but this season he’s finally started finishing plays consistently, something that had been questioned earlier in his career. His second goal was a perfect example, using his speed to create separation on an odd-man rush and get himself open.

Jake Evans deserves credit for the pass, but so does Noah Dobson, who absorbed a huge hit from the Buffalo forecheck to start the sequence. That’s playoff hockey. It’s about willingness and compete level.

Since arriving in Montreal, Newhook’s biggest strength has been his versatility. He can play center or wing, take faceoffs, move throughout the lineup, and kill penalties. Oh, and he’s also the only player on this roster who knows what it takes to win a Stanley Cup.

3- The anemic Buffalo power play returns

Buffalo’s power play has been struggling for a while now, and Game 1 is starting to look more and more like an outlier. Their man advantage went right back to looking ineffective tonight, which is obviously good news for Montreal.

Not only is Buffalo failing to score on the power play, it’s actually killing momentum and frustrating the crowd. The Canadiens took several unnecessary penalties, including an Arber Xhekaj penalty that would’ve been brutal had Buffalo capitalized. Instead, the Sabres finished 0-for-4.

If Montreal ends up winning this series, Buffalo’s power play is going to become one of the biggest storylines.

And it’s not just the power play. Tage Thompson has been almost invisible through two games. The only time he really stood out tonight was when he coughed up the puck leading to Alex Carrier’s goal, which effectively put the game away.

Not only has Thompson struggled offensively, he’s also been on the ice for five of Montreal’s seven goals in the series. Through two games, he has just one shot on goal, which is almost impossible to believe for a player with his scoring ability.

Credit has to go to the Canadiens for that. They neutralized Tampa Bay’s stars in Round 1, and so far, they’re doing the exact same thing to Buffalo in Round 2.

@tsn690

[Priyanta Emrith @HabsInHighHeels]

#Habs MSL: "I feel like you can't take the player outta me a little bit. I don't try to be in the locker room a lot because to me it's their space... but every now & then I've had moments with them... obviously on a night like tonight, I wanted to be with them & we had some fun."

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from Montreal’s 2-1 Game 7 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1- Captain clutch

Nick Suzuki delivered when it mattered most, Game 7. The Canadiens captain had been held off the scoresheet at 5-on-5, and it was one of the biggest talking points heading into the final game of the series. But as mentioned before, if you give star players enough time, they eventually deliver and Suzuki did just that.

The first goal of any game is massive, and even more so in a tight Game 7. After the way Andrei Vasilevskiy played in Game 6, it looked like it might be nearly impossible to beat him clean. Kaiden Guhle got a shot through that Suzuki expertly deflected, and it caught a bounce off J.J. Moser’s shin pad on the way in.

It doesn’t matter how it goes in. We saw plenty of examples over the last two games of pucks that somehow stayed out. Nobody is going to remember Suzuki’s quiet stretch earlier in the series after scoring a goal like that in an elimination game.

2- Simply Dobes

There’s no way to sugarcoat it, the Canadiens stole Game 7. A big reason why was Jakub Dobes. He was Montreal’s best player, and they needed him to be.

The only goal he allowed was a perfect deflection on the power play by Dominic James. Outside of that, he was outstanding. The ice was tilted in the second period, with Tampa controlling play while Montreal failed to register a single shot on goal. During that stretch, it felt like Dobes made save after save just to keep them alive.

One of the biggest questions coming into the series was whether Dobes could match a future Hall of Famer like Vasilevskiy. In this game, he absolutely did.

Montreal also got a few breaks. Alex Newhook banked in the game-winner off Vasilevskiy’s pants, and there were a couple of icings that didn’t go the full length of the ice one hitting a broken stick, another stopping inexplicably. Sometimes, that’s what it takes.

3- Montreal beat a great team and neutralized great players

Maybe they were a little fortunate to win Game 7 on the road, but Montreal earned their spot in Round 2. With this playoff format, a very good team was going home, and it ended up being Tampa Bay.

While Montreal’s top players took some criticism for their production, they did an equally strong job shutting down Tampa’s stars. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point were held to one goal each, and Anthony Cirelli didn't score and had only two points. More importantly, they were quiet in Game 7.

Meanwhile, Suzuki was on the ice for both Montreal goals, both at even strength. That’s the difference.

Hockey fans got a terrific series between two evenly matched teams. Every game was decided by one goal, with constant swings in momentum and emotion.

Now we’ll see what Montreal has in store for Round 2 against the Buffalo Sabres… but that was awesome.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from the Montreal Canadiens’ 3-2 win over the New York Rangers, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1- Newhook having a career year

It’s unfortunate that Alex Newhook suffered the injury that cost him a large portion of the season, because he’s been terrific both before and after. Maybe people would view him differently if he had played a full year, more than just a third-line player who can fill in on the top six in spurts.

Newhook might still set a career high in goals despite missing nearly half the season. Yes, he’s benefited from playing alongside Ivan Demidov, but he’s made the most of that opportunity and it’s clearly working.

It wasn’t long ago that the Canadiens were looking to young players who hadn’t blossomed to help speed up the rebuild, and it looks like, in doing that, they hit a home run and found a gem in Newhook.

2- Penalty kill with another perfect night

The penalty kill has been a point of concern for Montreal all season and needed to improve heading into the playoffs. To their credit, the Canadiens have done a good job fixing issues on the fly this year, whether it was protecting leads, slow starts, or defensive zone coverage.

Well, the PK shut down the New York Rangers tonight. And while the Rangers aren’t a great team overall, they are dangerous on the power play. Montreal also held Tampa Bay to 0-for-4 on Tuesday and blanked Nashville on special teams over the weekend.
Another box is starting to get checked as they approach the postseason.

3- Jacob Fowler’s rebound

Martin St. Louis made the right call again with his goaltenders, something he’s handled well all season. Fowler’s toughest outing came back in early December, when he dropped a 5-4 shootout game to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

So what do you do? You give him a chance to respond against that same team, and he delivered. Much like his win over Nashville, he wasn’t overly tested, but he made a couple of key saves, including a point-blank right pad stop on Alexis Lafrenière in the second period.

Looking ahead, the Canadiens are in a great position with two goalies performing well while still on inexpensive deals. That kind of flexibility can be a huge advantage.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from tonight’s 4-1 Montreal Canadiens win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1 – Habs pushing against top teams

The Canadiens look just about playoff-ready. The schedule has been a gauntlet lately, but line them up and they’ve been knocking them down. Over the past week, they’ve beaten the Metro Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes twice and the Atlantic Division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning.

At this point, it’s fair to wonder what more they need to prove. They’ve shown they can hang with, and beat, the league’s best. The games are getting tighter, more physical, more playoff-like, and Montreal is rising to the occasion.

They’re peaking at exactly the right time, and a first-round matchup between Tampa Bay and Montreal would be a lot of fun.

2 – Caufield’s quest for 50

Cole Caufield’s pursuit of the Rocket Richard Trophy might fall short, largely because he doesn’t get many empty-net opportunities, and that doesn’t help. But the 50-goal mark is right there, and he’s been red hot.

It won’t get much easier than the one he scored tonight, with Juraj Slafkovsky fooling everyone and putting it on Caufield’s tape for a tap-in. With the number of chances he generates every night, combined with his confidence and finishing ability, not hitting 50 at this point would feel like a missed opportunity.

3 – Veleno should play

Joe Veleno has been used in spot duty and has done everything asked of him, and more. For players lower in the lineup, versatility is key, and Veleno has plenty of it.

He can play center or wing, take faceoffs, kill penalties, and he’s reliable without the puck. The offensive numbers might not jump off the page, but he’s the kind of player Martin St. Louis can trust in a variety of situations.

When the Canadiens are fully healthy, Veleno has made a strong case to stay in the lineup over some players currently ahead of him on the depth chart. Now it’s up to the coaching staff to decide how to handle that, assuming they ever actually get fully healthy.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here's my three takeaways from tonight's 2-1 Montreal Canadiens win over the Columbus Blue Jackets brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1 – Bolduc gets his goal

Zach Bolduc spoke yesterday about doing all the right things, scoring in practice, and not losing confidence. It can’t be easy going more than 30 games without a goal, but it didn't seem to be fazing him despite his youth.

Bolduc made a terrific play on Montreal’s opening goal. He held onto the puck, sold the shot, and just as the Columbus Blue Jackets defenders bit, he slid a slick pass over to Jayden Struble, who finished it short side. A lot of players in a slump would force a shot there, but Bolduc made the smart play and it led to a goal.

And then the hockey gods rewarded him with what turned out to be the game winner.

2 – Hutson is going to be a constant target

Canadiens fans are going to have to get used to Lane Hutson being targeted. The Blue Jackets went after him all night, and playoff teams will do the same over a long series.

Miles Wood roughed him up in front of the bench, and credit to Jake Evans and Josh Anderson for stepping in. But the reality is, teams are going to take liberties.

Hutson is tough to catch during the flow of play, but between whistles and in scrums, opponents will try to make his life miserable.

He’s going to have to fight through it on a nightly basis. And no, Arber Xhekaj isn’t going to change that.

3 – Dobes does it again

Jakub Dobes was once again Montreal’s best player in a game that felt eerily similar to the one two nights ago against Carolina.

He’s also been nearly perfect on breakaways lately, stopping Mason Marchment on a clear chance in this one. For much of the season, the Canadiens have found ways to win without getting elite goaltending every night. Now, things are starting to balance out, with their goalie becoming a major factor in the outcome.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here's my three takeaways from tonight's 7-3 Montreal Canadiens' win over the New York Islanders brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1 – The power play is clicking

The Montreal Canadiens’ power play is absolutely on fire and has been a big reason for their recent offensive success. They don’t pick up a big two points in the standings without it delivering in key moments.

A lot of that success is coming from Juraj Slafkovsky and his work in the bumper position. He scored on a creative set play, drifting back into coverage on Montreal’s first goal. He then made a great backhand pass to the far side on the second and served as an effective decoy before Cole Caufield ripped a beautiful shot in tight past Ilya Sorokin.

Everyone on the power play knows their role right now, and they’re completely in sync. Three goals tonight.

2 – Secondary scoring comes through

The second line badly needed a goal, and Alex Newhook delivered with a big one while the Canadiens were trailing in the second period. It’s tough to win as a one-line team, and a lot of the conversation coming into this game was about the mistakes that led to the tying goal in Detroit a couple of nights ago.

It hasn’t been the best stretch lately for Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen, but this could be the kind of goal that gets them going again and restores some confidence.

3 – Guhle has a big impact

There have been stretches where Montreal could only truly rely on three defensemen, but over the last couple of games against Boston and now the Islanders, Kaiden Guhle has played some of his best hockey of the season.

Guhle brings a combination that no other Canadiens defenseman really offers. He opened the game with a big hit on Anthony Duclair, played Matt Barzal hard in the second period, and consistently took away time and space. He also blocked four shots, made a strong offensive play on the Newhook goal, and then scored the game-winner on a point shot that took a favorable bounce.

When Guhle is on his game, the Canadiens’ defense becomes much tougher to play against.

Bonus takeaway... Yes, Mr. Saturday night Cole Caufield had a hat trick and five points ;)

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from tonight’s 3-1 Montreal Canadiens loss to the Detroit Red Wings, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1 – Tough break for Matheson

It was a tough way to lose a low-event game, especially after holding a lead heading into the third period. Unfortunately, the tying goal came from something that’s plagued the Canadiens all season, their inability to get in shooting lanes on point shots, combined with a forward standing unchecked in front of the net (this time, Noah Dobson was the culprit).

Then on the game-winner, it was simply a bit of bad luck. Mike Matheson fumbled a bouncing puck and fell, giving Alex DeBrincat a clear path to the net. Matheson’s critics have been quieter this season, but I’m sure some will try to pin this loss entirely on him. In reality, it was just an unfortunate sequence.

2 – Slaf playing big

It’s no coincidence that as the games tighten up, Juraj Slafkovsky continues to shine. This is exactly why GM Kent Hughes and president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton used the first overall pick on the big Slovak forward.

At this time of year, every inch of ice is contested, and Slafkovsky is built for it. His combination of size, puck protection, forechecking ability, and playmaking in tight areas makes him a real factor. He scored a big goal in the second period tonight and continues to show he’s coming into his own.

3 – Dobes’ fire

Jakub Dobes’ style can sometimes look a little chaotic, like an unmade bed and it might not be for everyone. But he’s keeping the puck out of the net, and that’s what matters most.

What really stands out is his compete level. He plays with passion and intensity, and while at times the lows can seem to affect him, that fire is also what makes him effective. He doesn’t back down from traffic around his crease and isn’t afraid to get involved physically.

We saw it again tonight when Andrew Copp got into it with him, and it’s something we’ve seen before, including last year against the Washington Capitals in the playoffs. That edge can be contagious and pull teammates into the fight.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from tonight’s 3-2 Montreal Canadiens win over the Ottawa Senators, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1 – Habs find a way

The Canadiens found a way to win, again. It’s not always pretty, but Montreal continues to grind out victories.

Yes, there are plenty of areas where the team can improve. They turned the puck over too often, got pushed around physically, and spent far too much time hemmed in their own zone. And they still won.

You can say it’s not sustainable all you want, but they’ve been doing it for 64 games now. There’s an old saying that good teams find ways to win games they probably don’t deserve to win and right now, the Canadiens are proving they’re a good team.

2 – Another game of gaffes for Carrier

Alexandre Carrier has struggled for most of the season and nobody really wants to talk about it. He was a big acquisition last year and played a major role in helping the Canadiens reach the playoffs but so did Patrik Laine.

Unfortunately, Carrier seems to get blown up by a big hit almost every game, and a lot of that comes from holding onto the puck too long. When he tries to speed up his decision-making, it often leads to turnovers, like the one that resulted in Ottawa’s first goal tonight.

Carrier remains one of Martin St. Louis’ most trusted players, but that trust should probably be reconsidered. Other players haven’t played nearly as poorly and have still been scratched, so why not Carrier? The fact that he shoots right certainly plays a role, which is why David Reinbacher can’t arrive soon enough.

And the penalty kill shouldn’t be the reason he stays in the lineup, Montreal’s PK has been awful. If the Canadiens make the playoffs, it’s hard to imagine Carrier holding up for an entire series playing like this.

3 – Fowler was terrific

Starting Jakub Dobes on back-to-back nights didn’t make much sense and wouldn’t have put him in the best position to succeed. Starting Sam Montembeault also felt risky, considering his recent struggles and the fact that Montreal can’t afford to give away points this late in the season.

Fowler stepped in and delivered. He was solid throughout the night and played with the poise and calmness that’s quickly becoming his trademark. Some of his best work came in the third period with the game on the line, and it’s safe to say the Canadiens don’t win this game without his performance.

It’s hard to understand how far Montembeault’s game has fallen since this time last year, but his time this season may have run out. The big question now is how Montreal plans to use Fowler moving forward. Playing him once a week as Dobes’ backup wouldn’t make much sense, especially with Dobes earning the net lately.

For now, it looks like the Canadiens will just take it one game at a time.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from tonight’s 3-1 Montreal Canadiens win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1 – This game should have been easier

It looked like Montreal was going to roll over Toronto in the first period, but the Maple Leafs eventually pushed back. At times Toronto looked disinterested and unmotivated, yet Montreal couldn’t deliver the knockout punch.

Credit Joseph Woll for making some big saves and keeping the Leafs in the game despite a significant discrepancy in scoring chances and high-danger opportunities. At this point in the season it doesn’t really matter how you collect the points, but you can bet Martin St. Louis isn’t thrilled with how the team has looked lately, especially without the puck.

2 – Caufield is a player you can’t afford to lose

Cole Caufield missed a shift in the second period, and while it was fun seeing Ivan Demidov get a look alongside Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky, losing Caufield for any stretch of time would be catastrophic.

The Canadiens have dealt with injuries this season, but their most important players have largely stayed healthy. Missing someone like Caufield would hurt not only because he’s their best goal scorer, one goal away from a career high and three shy of 40, but also because he’s developed into a much more complete player under Martin St. Louis.

It was a bit odd to see him stapled to the bench for most of the third period, outside of two power plays. Hopefully it was just precautionary and nothing serious. It’s also worth noting that Caufield has played 227 consecutive games.

3 – Demidov looks ready to heat up

Ivan Demidov stood out and was arguably Montreal’s most dangerous player. He finished with just a secondary assist, but after a bit of a lull coming out of the Olympic break, it looks like he might be ready to replicate the production he showed in the first half of the season over these final 20 games.

And they’re going to need it. When Juraj Slafkovsky plays on the top line, Montreal can become overly reliant on that trio. Secondary scoring will be crucial down the stretch, and Demidov looks poised to provide it.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from tonight’s 4-3 Montreal Canadiens win over the LA Kings, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1 – No California woe

The California trip is never an easy one for Montreal, and Los Angeles in particular has been a black hole over the years. Despite an awful first period and the difficulty of dealing with the Kings’ aggressive forecheck, the Habs found a way to grind out a huge two points with another gutsy road effort.

The Canadiens won in LA for the first time since 2019, and Nick Suzuki’s game-winner was his first career goal against the Kings. It wasn’t a perfect trip, but Montreal salvaged something, returning home with three out of a possible six points.

Ending the trip with a win also takes some of the pressure off heading back to Montreal, something that certainly wouldn’t have been the case if they had dropped all three games.

2 – Dobes gives them a chance

Jakub Dobes gave the Montreal Canadiens a chance to win. The team looked like it was skating in mud in the first period, getting outshot 16-1 and dominated by the home team, the LA Kings. His best work came on the penalty kill, helping the Habs survive three power plays in the opening period alone.

Yes, the Scott Laughton goal wasn’t great, and some will want to criticize the goaltending again. But shots go in sometimes, it happens. Dobes played well, especially when the team needed him to bail them out early. The good in his performance clearly outweighs the one bad goal.

3 – Juraj the power forward

That’s the Juraj Slafkovsky we’ve been waiting for. When Slafkovsky was drafted, the Canadiens were betting on a rare combination of size and skill. It’s been a steady progression, and he’s had some strong stretches this season.

But what’s really tantalizing is when he flashes the potential of a true power forward. His goal was a perfect example: using his body to protect the puck, cutting to the middle, and going bar down. Plays like that make the Mikko Rantanen comparison feel very realistic.

@tsn690

[DuoFit @DuoFit_ca]

@MitchyGallo Keep these up! It’s the first thing I look for when the games is over. You always have an honest opinion and accurate. Great Job

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here's my three takeaways from tonight's 6-5 Montreal Canadiens loss to the Anaheim Ducks brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1 – Slafkovsky finds his game

Juraj Slafkovsky hadn’t been great coming out of the break, but tonight was definitely a step in the right direction. Martin St. Louis juggled the lines and Montreal’s first overall pick looked great alongside Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki.

He kept a play alive with a stick lift along the boards that led to the opening goal of the game, and later made a smart play at the offensive blue line that helped set up the Lane Hutson goal. He also fed Caufield for a good one-timer chance that was turned aside by Lukas Dostal.

It’s pretty clear that other players who’ve been tried on that line were mostly just keeping the seat warm for Slafkovsky.

2 – Montembeault with a Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde game

Montreal’s favorite whipping boy was all over the place against the Anaheim Ducks. He allowed two goals from distance that you’d want your goalie to stop (three if you count the one that was disallowed for offside).

But he also made some terrific highlight-reel saves that will probably be forgotten because of the ones that slipped by him. Montembeault’s play hasn’t just been inconsistent over the course of the season... It can be inconsistent within the same game.

He battled hard down the stretch and helped the Canadiens get a point in the standings but the bad goals are still hard to swallow.

3 – Nothing at the deadline

The trade deadline came and went, and the Montreal Canadiens didn’t do anything and that’s perfectly fine. While the Canadiens are now in buy mode, they still need to stay disciplined.

They tried hard to get something done before the deadline, and GM Kent Hughes knows a thing or two about the art of negotiation. Forcing a move, overpaying, or making a trade just to make one doesn’t make sense right now.

The Canadiens already have a fairly deep roster, with good players struggling to crack the lineup. Montreal also made its moves early by acquiring Phil Danault and Alex Texier. And while it’s technically a player returning from injury, Alex Newhook also feels like a late-season addition.

Sure, it’s frustrating watching teams the Canadiens are directly competing with get better, but paying the premium prices that come at the deadline simply doesn’t make sense for Montreal at this stage.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from tonight’s 7-5 Montreal Canadiens loss to the San Jose Sharks, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1 – Kapanen is a fine 2C

Oliver Kapanen is not getting nearly enough credit for what’s been a tremendous rookie campaign. The Canadiens are still rumored to be looking for help down the middle, yet Kapanen just keeps producing. He’s one goal shy of the 20-goal mark in his first full NHL season, and he’s doing it without any power-play time.

Of course, he’s benefited from playing alongside the second-best rookie in the league this season, Ivan Demidov. But who cares? Kapanen has developed strong chemistry with Montreal’s rookie phenom, plays a responsible game, and has consistently finished his chances. For a team supposedly still searching for a second-line center, they may already have a pretty good one in house.

2 – Juraj Slafkovsky reverts

Montreal’s first overall pick hasn’t looked the same since returning from the Olympic break. In fact, he’s starting to resemble the version we saw early in the season. Slafkovsky has been forcing plays, making hopeful passes through the middle of the ice, and not protecting the puck the way he was when things were going well.

Considering how important he’s become to this team, the Canadiens will need him to rediscover his game before the playoffs. The second line as a whole (Kapanen’s goal aside) hasn’t been nearly as impactful lately, and it might be time to look at a change in the combinations. Kirby Dach had a rough night after arguably his best game of the season on Saturday, including a soft play along the boards where he was pickpocketed by Kiefer Sherwood, leading to the Alex Wennberg goal.

It might not be long before Slafkovsky is reunited with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki.

3 – Crickets when Dobes has a bad game

Sam Montembeault would have been absolutely eviscerated if he had the kind of night Jakub Dobes had against San Jose, especially with Macklin Celebrini beating him five-hole.

That��s not to say Dobes is solely to blame for the loss, there were plenty of issues in front of him... But....

@tsn690