Badaboom! The Laval Rocket’s weekend series with the Calgary Wranglers begins with Filip Mešár scoring. Adam Engström causes a turnover on the offensive blue line and Lucas Condotta springs Mešár, who has time to deke the goalie inside out. Thirty-seven seconds in, Laval has the advantage on the scoreboard.
Only a minute later, Laval gets a power play opportunity as Étienne Morin takes a delay of game penalty. While the pressure is good, it doesn’t lead to any goals.
A lot of puck-wa...
about 2 months ago
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The Montreal Canadiens held a third period lead against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night, but were unable to hold on. Two goals in 12 seconds proved to be the difference as they left Boston without a point, and squandered a chance to put some distance between them and the teams around them for the fourth straight game.
There will always be games where you deserve a better fate, but what hurts in this specific instance is the fact it is the fourth straight loss to teams closest to them ...
about 2 months ago
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Montreal Canadiens news and notes
“I’ve always wanted to be successful. I’m always striving for perfection,” Juraj Slafkovský explains. The success he’s chasing is a career like compatriot Marian Hossa enjoyed. [ TVA Sports ]
Slafkovský has loved every minute he’s spent in Montreal and doesn’t understand why it is an unpopular destination for free agents. [ TVA Sports ]
Jake Evans said the penalty kill cost the Canadiens the game in Boston, and admits that he was a big part of...
about 2 months ago
| 5 reads
It’s cute seeing the Sportsnet panel covering the Montreal Canadiens on a day they have to because the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t playing.
First period
Close checking and a high pace to begin this game. There isn’t a lot of room to work out there right now, but Montreal isn’t panicking under the pressure.
Samuel Montembeault leaves a giant rebound on the first shot he faces over five minutes in, but recovers in time to stop a second one.
Like it did in the last game bet...
about 2 months ago
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Game 52: Montreal Canadiens @ Boston Bruins
Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST In the Canadiens region: CBC, Sportsnet E/O/P/1, Omni (English), TVA Sports (French) In the Bruins region: NESN Streaming: CBC Gem, ESPN+, Sportsnet+
For the first time since December 17, the Montreal Canadiens are no longer a seeded team in the Atlantic Division. With a win this afternoon, the Buffalo Sabres have moved into the third spot, and what was a threat from Buffalo to overtake the Canadiens w...
about 2 months ago
| 7 reads
Game 52: Montreal Canadiens @ Boston Bruins
Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST In the Canadiens region: CBC, Sportsnet E/O/P/1, Omni (English), TVA Sports (French) In the Bruins region: NESN Streaming: CBC Gem, ESPN+, Sportsnet+
The Atlantic Division standings no longer feature a group of three teams at the top with a gap to the wild-card race. The Buffalo Sabres reeled in the Montreal Canadiens with two wins in eight days, and those results have also allowed the other chase...
about 2 months ago
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The Montreal Victoire remain a work in progress — and head coach Kori Cheverie is more than comfortable with that reality.
Ahead of their upcoming game against the Ottawa Charge (Saturday, 2pm, CBC/Radio-Canada/YouTube), Cheverie emphasized growth, experimentation, and patience as key themes for a team still finding its optimal combinations, especially up front. One notable absence from practice was forward Laura Stacey, though Cheverie downplayed any concern saying that she would wait fo...
about 2 months ago
| 4 reads
Montreal Canadiens news and notes
Zachary Bolduc feels the urgency to bring his best game as the Canadiens are about to have a surplus of forwards and some roster decisions to make. [ La Presse ]
Part of that push might be that his waivers exemption is up in five games’ time. [ La Presse ]
There is an option to give Patrik Laine a conditioning stint in the AHL without having to activate him off IR. [ TVA Sports ]
Montreal finally has its power forward in Juraj Slafkovský....
about 2 months ago
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Montreal Canadiens news and notes
What is the plan for Patrik Laine? [ The Hockey Writers | La Presse | RDS | Radio-Canada | Journal de Montreal ]
Kaiden Guhle said the success of the Heated Rivalry series might open the door to the NHL’s first openly gay player. [ Montreal Gazette ]
The Habs are finally no longer chasing, but rather are now being chased. [ Journal de Montreal ]
The late Phil Goyette was remembered for clean living on and off the ice. [ NHL.com ]
A...
about 2 months ago
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First period
Tage Thompson’s line gets the puck to the front of the net just 15 seconds in. That can’t happen with the same regularity it did last week if Montreal wants to win.
At the 44-second mark, Buffalo gets the puck past Lane Hutson at the blue line, and Jason Zucker scores on the ensuing two-on-one. Montreal didn’t hear the wake-up call 30 seconds earlier.
The Habs have begun to come alive a bit after the goal.
Kaiden Guhle takes Zucker’s helmet directly to the ch...
about 2 months ago
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Game 51: Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST In the Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French) In the Sabres region: MSG Buffalo Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, TSN+
The Montreal Canadiens’ lead over the Buffalo Sabres was reduced to three when the Sabres won a head-to-head game a week ago. However, the Canadiens have recovered with a couple of wins since, gaining ground to hold a four-point edge despite Buffalo playing three games since last Thurs...
about 2 months ago
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PWHL play-by-play announcer Sam Ekstrom may have said it best: “Poulin! Who Else? Montreal wins!”
Marie-Philip Poulin scored on a spinning backhand shot in overtime as the Montreal Victoire defeated the Minnesota Frost 2-1 at Grand Casino Arena in Minnesota on Wednesday night.
It was somewhat reminiscent of the Bob Cole call stitched into my memory: The Canadiens win the game in overtime, A-GAIN.
The Victoire held the lead late in the third period, but allowed a Kelly Pannek goa...
about 2 months ago
| 2 reads
Game 51: Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST In the Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French) In the Sabres region: MSG Buffalo Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, TSN+
Only two Atlantic Division teams played last night, and they faced each other, but still both the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs earned points. That’s just the nature of this section of the NHL, where six of the teams are racking up points in a battle that will see a maximum...
about 2 months ago
| 2 reads
The Laval Rocket spent Tuesday night battling the Abbotsford Canucks tooth-and-nail en route to a 4-3 win in regulation that helped snap a losing skid. Laval snagged a much-needed win thanks to a pair of goals by Sean Farrell, and a game-winning tally by Florian Xhekaj with just 13 seconds left to play. The Rocket were unable to rest on their laurels for too long, as on Wednesday night they squared in a rematch with the Canucks.
With such a quick turnaround the Rocket didn’t make many cha...
about 2 months ago
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Montreal Canadiens news and notes
Looks like the Brendan Gallagher, Philip Danault, and Josh Anderson line has found an identity. [ Sportsnet ]
Joe Veleno has earned the trust of Martin St. Louis. [ Journal de Montreal ]
St. Louis said that his team was “excellent” at five-on-five against the Minnesota Wild and that it was one of the best games of the season. [ Montreal Gazette ]
Cole Caufield reinforced his reputation as one of the league’s most clutch scorers after scor...
about 2 months ago
| 2 reads
After wrapping up a three-game road trip, the Montreal Canadiens were back at the Bell Centre to host one of the top teams in the league, the Minnesota Wild. With the visitors playing the second half of a back-to-back, the Habs were in full control of the game at five-on-five, and ultimately took a 4-3 win in regulation thanks to a thrilling Cole Caufield goal with 15 seconds left on the clock. It was a thrilling way for the home crowd to celebrate a win, notwithstanding the strange nature of ...
about 2 months ago
| 2 reads
Montreal Canadiens news and notes
Internal competition helps make everyone better, says Jake Evans. [ Montreal Gazette ]
Phillip Danault hasn’t lost his touch in the faceoff circle. [ Montreal Gazette ]
Initial rosters have been announced for the Habs’ and Winnipeg Jets’ alumni teams for the 2026 Heritage Classic. [ Montreal Canadiens ]
The Habs are reportedly one of the teams interested in Nazem Kadri. [ The Score ]
Three other potential targets for the Canadiens. [...
about 2 months ago
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First period
The crowd picks up where it left of at the end of the last homestand, with a loud “Go Habs Go!” chant.
Each line played its first shift in Minnesota’s zone. Ivan Demidov worked himself into the best chance of the opening minutes, but passed off from a prime scoring area. He needs to be a little more selfish.
It looks like Montreal’s legs work again.
Kirill Kaprizov passes the puck from behind Montreal’s net right to Juraj Slafkovský, and he sends his linemate...
about 2 months ago
| 4 reads
Game 50: Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild
Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST In the Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French) In the Wild region: FanDuel Sports Network North/Wisconsin Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, TSN+
Over two months since he sustained a broken foot while blocking a shot, Kirby Dach will play his 16th game of the season tonight when the Montreal Canadiens host the Minnesota Wild. He will join Nick Suzuki’s line opposite Cole Caufield, reuniting a trio that h...
about 2 months ago
| 4 reads
It’s no secret that the Montreal Canadiens have had penalty issues this season. After going through the Canadiens’ penalties drawn and taken this season , we found that there are some areas that appear to be significant outliers compared to the expectations we have about how NHL games are officiated.
About a month has passed, and I’ve scraped together enough time over the holidays and in the new year to track every game for each Atlantic Division team up to January 14th in the same way I ...
about 2 months ago
| 3 reads
Game 50: Montreal Canadiens vs. Minnesota Wild
Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST In the Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French) In the Wild region: FanDuel Sports Network North/Wisconsin Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, TSN+
After a couple of difficult losses to begin the road trip, the Montreal Canadiens visited the rink of an Atlantic Division rival. It wasn’t a pretty effort with a low number of shots for the Habs, but they managed to win a high-scoring match before moving ...
about 2 months ago
| 1 read
Montreal Canadiens News and Notes
Cole Caufield relishes having the game on his stick when everything is on the line. [ Montreal Gazette ]
Juraj Slafkovský vaulted to prominence in the last Olympics, now, living up to that promise, he’s headed back. [ The Athletic ]
The Habs are showing resilience in their ability to pull out wins after trailing. [ TVA Sports ]
Kaiden Guhle has to work the rust of the mental side of his game as well as the physical, which is a tall order ...
about 2 months ago
| 1 read
Montreal Canadiens news and notes
The Canadiens will need to make some type of roster decision when both Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach are activated. Which forwards will make way for their returns? [ La Presse ]
As tough as it may be given what he has provided the team during his career, the odd man out should probably be Brendan Gallagher. [ The Athletic ]
Sunday was the four-year anniversary of Kent Hughes becoming general manager. [ Journal de Montreal ]
Hughes’s solid w...
about 2 months ago
| 5 reads
To finish up a three-game road trip, the Montreal Canadiens were in Ottawa for hockey day in Canada. Their last game against the Senators was certainly less than ideal, and this one was unfortunately no different. This time, however, the Habs had some magic up their sleeves.
After a decent first period, albeit one where the Habs could only do damage with their power play, they went to the room with a two-goal lead. What followed was an atrocious second period in which they mustered a palt...
about 2 months ago
| 7 reads
Montreal Canadiens news and notes
“We can’t always expect to win like this. We want to play to become a top team and win in the playoffs,” Jake Evans shared after the Canadiens stole last night’s win versus the Ottawa Senators. [ RDS ]
Mike Matheson says he’s only seen Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Huberdeau show the same ability as Ivan Demidov to handle the puck without ever looking at it. [ Montreal Gazette ]
Montreal gets an A grade for its opening half of the season. [ The A...
about 2 months ago
| 7 reads