Takeaways
What does the future hold for Brendan Gallagher?
His 200th career goal reminded us how much of a steal he was, and also of the risk associated with offering contracts based on past performance.
Nick Suzuki poised to set a new career-high in points, despite adversity
The odds have been stacked against the Canadiens’ captain, but he just kept working.
Farcical officiating contributed to a testy game between the Habs and Bruins
If you’re looking for an example of referees losing control of a game, look no further than Thursday night at TD Garden.
Despite battling for a top draft pick, the Montreal Canadiens are showing positive signs
Right now the Canadiens are getting the best of both worlds.
Kirby Dach shows he hasn’t missed a beat in his return
After over a month on the mend, Dach showed how important he is to this team against the Lightning.
The Canadiens are finding offence more easily, even in big losses
Even when they lose big, the Habs are finding ways to get the puck in the net more than they used to.
Matheson, Harvey-Pinard were welcome silver linings against the Canes
Getting a loser point in extra time they had no business being in wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t a total waste.
Is Rafaël Harvey-Pinard a lock for next year’s roster?
If he keeps playing every game like it’s an audition, it’s hard to envision him not winning a role.
The Canadiens need to tread lightly with injuries
The last thing this team needs is to risk their future for games that don’t matter.
Denis Gurianov showed some real potential in his debut
The newest Hab missed a few chances on Tuesday, but he was very hard to miss on the ice.
Arber Xhekaj’s presence is sorely missed
I wonder if Austin Watson would try that hit in front of the Habs bench, knowing the Sheriff was seated there.
Mike Matheson is playing himself into the deadline conversation
Mike Matheson might be a player the Habs want to hang on to, but his play may be making him the team’s best deadline asset.
The Canadiens’ strategic puck pursuit grounded the Flyers
Not everyone will be happy with the win, but everyone should be happy with what the Habs displayed on Broad St.
Justin Barron emerging as a legitimate NHL defenceman
With yet another young blue-liner showing his NHL-readiness, could we see some veterans on the move?
Defensive zone breakdowns cost the Habs against the Leafs
Winning was always going to be a tall order, but the Habs made it harder on themselves in their own zone.
The Habs were rudely brought back to earth by the Hurricanes
Having a three-game winning streak snapped in such decisive fashion should be a good thing for this hockey club.
Canadiens’ trade-bait candidates show up against the Blackhawks
Beating Chicago may be a loss in the Bedard sweepstakes, but it may have come with some good news for the trade deadline.
Early returns suggest Jordan Harris’s contract extension is good business
The ink has barely dried on that two-year extension, but Kent Hughes must be feeling good about the early returns.
Mike Matheson has his best game in a Canadiens uniform
As it happens, he also helped make it the team’s best game in their reverse retros.
Rafaël Harvey-Pinard looks like a bonafide NHL player
It is going to be very hard for the Habs to send Harvey-Pinard back to the AHL.
Owen Beck should have been given one more game in Montreal
The Canadiens could have kept Beck for Tuesday’s rematch with the Sens, and why not give him that second crack?
Rafaël Harvey-Pinard is making a strong case to stay in Montreal
It might be tough to send RHP back to Laval even once the team starts getting healthy again.
Is Samuel Montembeault a viable starting goaltender?
It feels like we’ve been waiting some time for him to come down to earth, but is it possible he’s simply found a new level?
It’s trial by a very calm fire for the fringe guys
The future is unapologetically being shoved into Martin St-Louis’s lap, whether he’d like it or not.
For the Montreal Canadiens, after the good comes the bad and the ugly
Inconsistency isn’t a bug of the 2022-23 Canadiens, it’s a feature.
The Montreal Canadiens are being pushed to perform
The injuries are providing opportunities and the veterans don’t want to be left without a chair.
Ylönen is seizing his opportunity
Since he was called up, the Finn has been a standout in Montreal.
Jesse Ylonen’s impressive debut should warrant more minutes
If that was an audition for more time with the big club, Ylonen aced it.
Anthony Richard is showing the impact the Laval Rocket can have at the NHL level
After scoring his first NHL goal, he’s looking to claim a spot in the league.
The future is now ... because it’s all the Canadiens have
Wednesday night against the Avalanche was a sign of progress for some of the Habs’ most promising players. The rest of the roster, on the other hand....
A case for Jake and Juraj?
Could Juraj Slafkovský find a stable centre in an unlikely candidate?
The Habs need to snap out of their first-period doldrums
Starting games on one’s heels is not a recipe for short- or long-term success.