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Bottom Six Minutes: The Habs can compete with the league’s best

Jan 11, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine (92) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

It wasn’t all that long ago when a back-to-back against the Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars would have been a really long weekend for the Montreal Canadiens. The November version of the Habs would have been lucky to emerge from those games with their pride intact, let alone any points in the standings. But the much-improved Habs surprised Washington, taking the first of the two games in OT on the road before returning to the Bell Centre.

They forced OT once more against the Stars on Saturday night, and though they fell short in a shootout, this team has proven they can compete with some of the best teams in the NHL.

There was a bit of a concerning deficit with respect to high-danger scoring chances against Dallas, but overall the team fared very well against a Stars team that had been rested and waiting for the Habs in Montreal since Thursday. They were set up for a very difficult night by this schedule, and they managed to leave it with three of a possible four points on the weekend.

Both goaltenders had to be sharp on Saturday. It wasn’t a case of Samuel Montembeault standing on his head – something we saw him do against Dallas last year – the Habs threw plenty of work Jake Oettinger’s way. Teams probably used to look at Montreal on their schedule as a chance to rest their starting goaltender, and I doubt that is the case anymore. They’re dangerous enough offensively that they’re probably going to see more starters from here out.

This team has now beaten the last four Stanley Cup winners, and is presenting a real problem against teams who are virtual locks for the playoffs this year. They’ve rounded into form in a way that most didn’t believe to be possible, and they’re not an easy out for any team in this league.

The rebuild isn’t over yet, but this team getting to a point where they can hang with top teams regularly is a huge step in the right direction.

Click the play button below to listen to your full Bottom Six Minutes, also available wherever you get your podcasts. The Habs are headed back on the road, and we’ll return for their first game of the trip this Tuesday against the Utah Hockey Club.

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