Joey Staub

[Joey Staub @JoeyLFC10]

@matthewkheafy A Spinal Tap like semi bio about the band, with even more ridiculous ways that you guys change drummers.

[Joey Staub @JoeyLFC10]

@matthewkheafy @DownloadFest Show them this, might help

[Joey Staub @JoeyLFC10]

@EricMacramalla He's a good coach who got outcoached badly in this series. Carolina was the much better team. But doing the same thing 4 games in a row, especially the last 2, and expecting a different result is the definition on insanity. Lot of it on the players who couldn't adapt. But him too

[Joey Staub @JoeyLFC10]

@Imstilljon I mean, how many goals has the Veleno, Bolduc and Dach line been on for? Canes 4th line is scoring. Evans isn't a 2C but let's keep that going. No changes and hoping for better is an awful look. MSL getting outcoached big time in this series. No adjustments or changes.

[Joey Staub @JoeyLFC10]

@JGODYT I loved it then and it leaving it one of the reasons I've stopped playing COD. Looking forward to it coming back.

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from tonight’s 4-0 Montreal Canadiens loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1- Carolina just keeps getting better

The Montreal Canadiens were dominated for large stretches of Game 3 but still hung around and were one scoring chance away from grabbing a 2-1 series lead. In Game 4, Carolina controlled things from start to finish and this time it wasn’t particularly close, including on the scoreboard.

A lot of Montreal’s wounds were self-inflicted. Carolina is excellent at taking pucks away and in this game the Canadiens were equally good at turning them over. Against a team this structured and this aggressive, poor puck management is basically a death sentence.

The door was slightly open early when Montreal got a couple of power plays, but Carolina’s penalty kill was excellent again and the Canadiens generated very little that looked threatening.

At the end of the day, Montreal couldn’t break the forecheck, couldn’t get through the neutral zone cleanly and eventually looked completely smothered. As the game wore on, the Canadiens became visibly frustrated emotionally and started forcing plays that simply weren’t there.

Martin St. Louis has talked all season about this group learning through failure. Well, Carolina is showing Montreal just how much there still is to learn.

2- MSL tried different things, but it didn’t matter

With the Canadiens down three goals in the third period, Martin St. Louis finally broke up the top line for the first time in these playoffs outside of a couple brief moments in the Tampa series.

At that point though, it already felt too late. Carolina was completely comfortable, in control and playing with confidence.

Could St. Louis have shuffled things earlier? Maybe. But realistically, it probably doesn’t change the outcome of this game. These combinations worked all season and throughout the first two rounds, so making panic changes before tonight probably would have been a case of doing something simply for the sake of doing something.

And for anyone thinking Brendan Gallagher or Arber Xhekaj would have dramatically changed a game like this, it’s probably time for a reality check.

The Hurricanes have won more playoff series over the last three years than every team except Florida and Edmonton. They finished first in the Eastern Conference and rolled through the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Montreal simply ran into a team that is more experienced, more committed to its structure and, right now, just better.

3- What does Montreal have left for Game 5?

Technically, the series isn’t over, even if the Canadiens looked completely defeated leaving the ice tonight.

The Bell Centre emptied out early and for the first time all playoffs, the energy around the team felt genuinely deflated. The task now is daunting: win three straight, including two games in Carolina, against the best team in the Eastern Conference.

But the Canadiens can’t think about winning three games. The focus has to be winning one.

If they can force a Game 6 back at the Bell Centre, maybe the pressure shifts a little and maybe the crowd gets one more chance to breathe life into the series.

As lopsided as things have looked at times, Montreal did beat Carolina in Game 1 and lost two overtime games. There have still been stretches where they’ve been right there.

The Canadiens also still have enough offensive talent to swing a game quickly and Carolina, for all its dominance territorially, can occasionally go dry offensively despite controlling the analytics.

The biggest thing now is adjustments. Montreal and its coaching staff haven’t found answers yet and honestly, a lot of things got worse in Game 4, especially in the opening period.

It feels like the Canadiens are ready to wave the white flag and it’s time for Carolina to just put them out of their misery.

@TSN690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from Montreal’s 6-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1- Hurricanes showed early it was rust, not rest

Like many expected, the opening period between Montreal and Carolina was complete chaos, especially for the Hurricanes.

With 11 days between games, there was a lot of discussion about whether the rest would benefit Carolina or if the long layoff would leave them rusty. It was definitely the latter. The Hurricanes played their worst period of the playoffs and spent most of the frame chasing Montreal around the ice.

The Canadiens were moving the puck through the slot with relative ease and generated two breakaway goals. Carolina looked completely out of sync defensively and Montreal made them pay.

Frederik Andersen had been lights out heading into the series and the Canadiens got to him early and often. It’s hard to pin the ugly first period entirely on him considering the quality of chances Carolina surrendered, but an extra timely save or two could have completely changed the momentum of the game.

Instead, you have to wonder if his confidence might now be shaken a little, especially considering his playoff track record. We saw something similar last year when Andersen looked unbeatable before struggling badly against Florida.

And now, even after dominating the first two rounds, Rod Brind’Amour may eventually have to at least consider another option in goal if things continue in this direction.

2- Overall, things couldn’t have gone much better for Montreal

Game 1 reinforced a lot of the concerns people had about Carolina while validating many of the strengths Montreal has shown throughout these playoffs.

The conversation heading into Game 2 will now shift toward Carolina’s struggles in conference finals, their history of poor Game 1 performances, the overreliance on their system and questions surrounding Andersen in big playoff moments.

Carolina will probably point to the long layoff and argue they improved after the opening period once they found their legs. Good luck selling that narrative because Game 1 was massively important for Montreal and only injected even more confidence into a team that already believed in itself.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens showed maturity. After the emotional high of winning Game 7 in overtime against Buffalo, they didn’t let it carry over into a flat start in the next series.

Montreal came out sharp, looked prepared for Carolina’s pressure and pace, credit to the coaching staff for that, and matched the urgency right away. They also scored all five goals at even strength, including goals from Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky, eliminating another talking point about their top players struggling offensively at 5-on-5.

One of the biggest keys in this series will continue to be Jakub Dobes. Carolina throws pucks from everywhere and volume shoots as much as any team in hockey, meaning one bad goal on a low-danger shot can completely swing momentum.

But Dobes actually seems to thrive when he’s busy. During the regular season, he was 7-0 in games where he faced 34 shots or more and one of his best performances came in March when he made 43 saves against these same Hurricanes.

But maybe the thing the coaching staff will be happiest with is the way Montreal was able to suppress Carolina’s shot total, keeping it under 30 and not overtaxing their goaltender in Game 1.

3- Ivan Demidov is feeling it

Yes, we know. It’s been repeated a million times that the Canadiens are the youngest team remaining in the playoffs and ahead of schedule.

But the experience they’re gaining in these moments is invaluable and Ivan Demidov is a perfect example of a young player learning on the fly.

A lot of these players are still basically kids, completely green and discovering what playoff hockey really demands. Think back to where Demidov’s game was in Round 1 and compare it to where it is now.

He steadily improved throughout the Buffalo series and now looks like he’s playing with a completely different level of confidence. It’s similar to Lane Hutson last postseason looking wide-eyed and overwhelmed at times before taking another step this year.

Demidov’s goal was absolutely nasty and it’s becoming a signature move. The quick forehand release while attacking with speed feels almost impossible for goalies to stop once he gets going downhill.

We’ve already seen him beat teams with it multiple times this season, including Boston and now Carolina.

Teams can scout it all they want. Knowing it’s coming and actually stopping it are two very different things.

@tsn690

[Joey Staub @JoeyLFC10]

@ModernWarzone And yet DMZ was the most fun I've had in a COD game in years. I haven't played since its been just zombies. Hoping for a return of DMZ eventually

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from Montreal’s 3-2 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1- The Canadiens bounce forward

The Montreal Canadiens remain perfect in the postseason coming off a loss and, as Martin St. Louis likes to say, they found a way to “bounce forward.”

It was a dream start, especially considering how important the opening goal is in a Game 7. Historically, teams that score first win roughly 75 percent of the time. Montreal capitalized on its early opportunities with Kaiden Guhle banking one in off Phillip Danault’s stick before Zach Bolduc ripped one under the bar on a power play that was just about to expire.

There’s so much credit to go around beyond the scoresheet. Josh Anderson, for example, got the puck deep and won a battle behind the net to keep the opening sequence alive. Defensively, the little things added up too. Alexandre Carrier had a terrific bounce-back game blocking shots, while Guhle played like a wrecking ball with the type of reckless abandon Montreal needs in its lineup.

And the list of contributors goes well beyond those names.

For the second time in these playoffs, the Canadiens lost Game 6 at home with a chance to clinch, only to win Game 7 on the road. Hockey can be funny that way, but Montreal has proven to be a road warrior and a team that plays its best hockey when facing adversity.

2- Dobes remains unflappable

The Canadiens needed to lean on their goaltender once again, and Jakub Dobes delivered.

Much like the rest of the team, Dobes has been sensational coming off losses, improving to 6-0 in those situations with a save percentage north of .940. In the first period alone, he had to bail Montreal out several times, including stopping Jack Quinn on a breakaway and robbing Beck Malenstyn on a Grade-A scoring chance.

The second period was an absolute onslaught. While the shots weren’t quite as lopsided as Game 7 against Tampa Bay, the ice was heavily tilted in Buffalo’s favour. Montreal generated chances mostly off the rush while spending long stretches hemmed in its own zone.

Dobes did everything in his power to keep the puck out of the net. He was aggressive around his crease, swinging his stick trying to disrupt plays and jumping on loose pucks whenever he could.

What he’s shown throughout these playoffs is that while he can be emotional and temperamental, he channels it in a productive way. When the moment gets biggest, he seems capable of completely locking in.

3- Depth scoring the difference

Once again, the star players largely cancelled each other out and special teams didn’t decide the game. Montreal’s depth came through again, which has become a recurring theme throughout the postseason.

Is it really a coincidence that Montreal’s only Stanley Cup champion, Alex Newhook, scored the Game 7 winner against Tampa Bay and then followed it up with the overtime winner against Buffalo?

Newhook was arguably Montreal’s best offensive player in the series with six goals in seven games, and he finished things in storybook fashion with a play every kid dreams about making while pretending to play Game 7 in the driveway.

Montreal’s role players all stepped up. Danault, Bolduc and Newhook scored the goals, but players like Carrier, Guhle, Anderson and Mike Matheson all executed their roles perfectly.

Credit also has to go to Buffalo. Their forecheck gave Montreal problems all series long and they controlled large stretches of Game 7. But much like the Tampa Bay series, the Canadiens bent without breaking.

Now Buffalo will spend the offseason wondering where some of its top players disappeared to, especially pending unrestricted free agent Alex Tuch.

And things certainly won’t get easier for Montreal in the Eastern Conference Final. After surviving Buffalo’s relentless pressure, they now get the Carolina Hurricanes, a well-oiled machine that never deviates from its system and throws everything, including the kitchen sink, at the net.

@tsn690

[Joey Staub @JoeyLFC10]

RT @MitchyGallo: Here are my three takeaways from tonight’s 3-2 Montreal Canadiens loss to the Buffalo Sabres in Game 4, brought to you by…

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Here are my three takeaways from Montreal’s 6-2 Game 3 victory over Buffalo, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1- Caufield capitalizes

You can only hold elite goal scorers off the scoresheet for so long before they eventually break through, and we saw that a couple of times in Game 3. First it was Tage Thompson, who scored his first goal since Game 1 of Round 1 after looking dreadful through the first two games of this series. That goal started after a soft play by Cole Caufield, who tried to flip the puck into the neutral zone but instead turned it over.

At that point, it looked like it might turn into another frustrating night for Caufield, who hasn’t exactly been getting much puck luck lately. Things didn’t improve when he missed a wide-open net from two feet away. After ringing one off the crossbar last game from the slot, it felt like more of the same was coming.

Then Lane Hutson decided to take over. He danced through three Buffalo defenders and put the puck on a tee for Caufield, who buried the tap-in on the power play. Full credit to Hutson and the entire unit for recognizing the opportunity and attacking aggressively after Jordan Greenway broke his stick.

Maybe that goal gets Caufield rolling again. At the very least, it’ll stop being a talking point for a couple of days.

2- Hutson does it all, again

At this point, there’s not much left to say about Lane Hutson that hasn’t already been said. Every night, he’s Montreal’s best skater. And when he’s off, like he was in Game 1, the Canadiens don’t really have a chance.

Buffalo had absolutely no answer for him in Game 3. At times, it looked like he was playing with cheat codes, doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, every single shift. Hutson was terrific in the first round against Tampa Bay, however the style of play in this Buffalo series is much more conducive for him to shine.

Time and space come at such a premium in the playoffs, especially against a heavy structured team like Tampa Bay. But through the first three games against Buffalo, there’s been much more room for Hutson to operate and he’s absolutely feasting.

Everyone already knows how dynamic he is offensively, but people in Montreal also understand how good he is in every situation. The way he’s playing in the playoffs is only going to elevate his reputation further. There’s no reason he shouldn’t already be in the Norris Trophy conversation beyond the fact that he’s undersized.

And playoff hockey hasn’t fazed him one bit. As he continues to evolve, he’ll eventually draw tougher matchups and more responsibility against top players. But right now, everything offensively for Montreal starts with Hutson.

3- Make them pay on the power play

Montreal’s power play has been a little helter-skelter in the playoffs after such a strong regular season. That’s normal. Goals are harder to come by in the postseason, games tighten up, and teams become much more familiar with your tendencies over a seven-game series.

But when the opposition takes reckless penalties, especially the kind that could potentially injure someone, there’s no better response than making them pay on the scoreboard.

The perfect example was Juraj Slafkovsky’s goal that made it 4-1. Beck Malenstyn crashed into Jakub Dobes at full speed without making much of an effort to stop or even slow down. It was only called a two-minute penalty, but it was still the type of play that leaves everyone holding their breath.

Those are the moments where you want revenge on the scoreboard, not with retaliation.

Buffalo is going to have to clean up its discipline because Montreal’s power play is heating up. The Canadiens scored twice with the man advantage tonight, and every time that unit stepped onto the ice, it felt dangerous.

[Joey Staub @JoeyLFC10]

@MitchyGallo I agree with you that it should go to the best all around Dman. Just funny that this year is when that actually matters, cause usually its always the top point getters

[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 tonight’s 3-2 Montreal Canadiens win in Game 5 over the Tampa Bay Lightning, brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1- Gallagher gets Habs going

Sometimes the story writes itself, and the most predictable thing about tonight’s game was that Brendan Gallagher was going to score. Time and time again, Martin St. Louis has pushed the right buttons, and inserting Montreal’s most experienced playoff player into the lineup for the first time since the final game of the season paid off immediately.

On his first shift, on his first shot, Gallagher cleaned up the garbage in front of the net something he’s made a career out of. The longtime Canadien may be on the back nine of his career, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still be valuable to a young team.

He may not have the same pace or speed he once did, but you know exactly what you’re going to get. He’s tenacious, difficult to play against, and gives absolutely everything he has. It’s hard not to feel good seeing him rewarded with a big goal.

2- Matheson misplays

Mike Matheson had a shift similar to the one Kirby Dach had in overtime in Game 3, where multiple mistakes led to a goal against. The final error was an attempted shot that simply can’t miss the net something every player is taught at a young age.

The chances of beating Andrei Vasilevskiy clean from that spot were already slim, and missing the net turns it into an automatic breakout the other way. Not only that, but the Canadiens had the lead and were in control, with Tampa’s top players on the ice. That’s a moment where the cliché applies, get pucks deep and manage the situation.

Instead, Jake Guentzel, who leads the series in points, beats Jakub Dobes five-hole and gives the Lightning life heading into the third period yet again. Matheson has been logging heavy minutes, and it’s starting to show. He’s incredibly valuable to this blue line, but no one will benefit more from the return of Noah Dobson than him.

3- Lane Hutson has been Montreal’s best player

Tampa Bay’s top players have delivered. Montreal’s have been quieter, with the exception of Lane Hutson, who has clearly been their best player through five games.

He’s been excellent defensively, an area of his game that often gets overlooked, and it’s fair to say Tampa’s top players don’t find him easy to play against. But his biggest impact comes offensively, especially in key moments.

In Game 3, it was the overtime winner with a booming slap shot. Tonight, it was a perfectly executed stretch pass, using his eyes as deception to spring Alexandre Texier in full flight, who slips it past Vasilevskiy for the winner.

Hutson’s size will always be a talking point, and until he proves it over a long playoff run, people will question whether he can hold up. But so far, he’s answered every challenge. There’s no reason to think that will stop now.

He’s now on a five-game point streak, and what’s most impressive is that he’s doing in the playoffs exactly what he did in the regular season, in games that are much harder to play.

@tsn690

[Joey Staub @JoeyLFC10]

@Imstilljon I mean, Kapanen got one for a phantom call, had to even it out

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

Three Takeaways from the Canadiens' 4-1 win vs Islanders brought to you by Snap Bar Sportif in Rigaud.

1- Another game, another milestone

Montreal Canadiens fans are getting treated to a special season, one filled with milestones we haven’t seen from players on this team in a long time.

Nick Suzuki picked up his 100th and 101st points of the season, continuing an incredible year that could very well end with Selke Trophy consideration.

The most impressive part is the consistency. He shows up every night, produces, and never misses games. He may not be the flashiest star in the league, but he shines bright for this team.

2- David Reinbacher with a successful debut

Reinbacher’s debut can only be seen as a success. He looked confident with the puck in the offensive zone and read off his teammates well, especially alongside the top line.

Defensively, he kept things simple and rarely looked out of place. For a defenseman, sometimes not being noticed is the biggest compliment you can get.

There will still be an adjustment period, especially with the speed of NHL forechecks coming at him, but game one went smoothly — with the added bonus of his first NHL point.

3- Power play looked much better

The Canadiens’ power play had dipped a bit lately, which could’ve been a concern heading into the playoffs, but it looked much sharper tonight.

In the first period, they generated several quality chances, including an open net that Juraj Slafkovsky just missed. Then in the second, Suzuki found Ivan Demidov with a great pass on the doorstep to finally convert.

With a likely playoff matchup against Tampa Bay looming, special teams are going to be crucial. And if the Lightning take repeated trips to the box, Montreal will have to make them pay.

@tsn690

[Joey Staub @JoeyLFC10]

@alterbridge I will, as soon as the 2nd NA leg gets announced and there's a Montreal show.

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

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

1- Caufield finally gets 50

It took six days longer than everyone was hoping, but Cole Caufield finally scored his 50th goal of the season. It’s hard not to feel good for Montreal’s sniper, who has put in the work to round out every part of his game and accomplished something very few players do.

It’s also hard not to feel good for an entire generation of Canadiens fans who haven’t had a true elite goal scorer to watch. And it felt fitting not just because the goal opened the scoring in the biggest game of the year, but because it came with assists from Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky.

He earned every bit of this, and it’s the kind of moment that feels bigger than just one goal.

2- Tampa Bay is the greasiest team in the NHL

Maybe they’re trying to copy their in-state rivals, the Florida Panthers, but the Lightning are the dirtiest team in the league right now. It’s no coincidence that so many games that spiral out of control seem to involve Tampa Bay.

There were scrums and extra shots after almost every whistle, and a whole lot of nonsense throughout. Martin St. Louis said this morning that his team can play any style of game, and they backed it up. Montreal showed real toughness and went toe-to-toe with a team clearly trying to intimidate and bully them.

The problem for Tampa Bay is they’re not the Panthers and they should probably stop pretending to be. If these two teams meet in the playoffs, it’s going to be an all-out war, and the Lightning just vaulted up the Canadiens’ rival list.

3- A couple standouts

You don’t necessarily want your top players risking injury by getting involved in extracurriculars, but there are plenty of players on this roster who don’t mind that style of game.

It often starts with Josh Anderson, who was involved all night. Arber Xhekaj is always an obvious candidate, and you know he would’ve loved to get a piece of Corey Perry. Jayden Struble plays a heavy, controlled game and picks his spots well. Juraj Slafkovsky has no issue standing up for himself or his linemates, and even Joe Veleno can handle himself when things get out of hand. Then again, there's a laundry list of players that deserve credit for the way tonight's game went.

@tsn690

[Mitch Gallo @MitchyGallo]

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

1- Caufield showing off his passing

Of course, with everyone eagerly anticipating Caufield scoring his 50th goal of the season, he ended up playing the role of playmaker, picking up a couple of great primary assists.

While his best attribute is goal scoring, his passing ability is still somewhat under the radar. He’ll hit that elusive 50-goal plateau, but he’s also on pace to reach 90 points. Caufield has always been a scorer, but what’s turned him into one of the best players in the NHL is how much he’s improved in every other area of his game.

2- Sloppy power play

Tonight’s game featured some of the sloppiest sequences we’ve seen from Montreal in weeks. The Canadiens could have used a little more killer instinct to put the Devils away in the second period.

Holding a 3-1 lead, Zach Bolduc drew a high-sticking penalty, giving the Habs a four-minute power play. The problem was that the best chances during that stretch came from New Jersey, including a shorthanded goal by Jack Hughes.

At this point in the season, getting the win is what matters most, but Martin St. Louis will definitely have issues with some of the details in this one.

3- Struble and Xhekaj

Having both Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj in the lineup at the same time has worked so far. Without someone immediately pushing for their spot, even with Engström waiting in the wings, both players seem more settled.

Struble has been playing his best hockey, and Xhekaj has done a good job minimizing mistakes. In fact, Xhekaj made a strong play that helped set up the Struble goal. He had a similar sequence that led to Caufield’s first goal in New York on Thursday.

Maybe giving Xhekaj a few more minutes late in games could help, but he’s still building trust with the coaching staff. The big question will be what happens when Alexandre Carrier returns from injury.

@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