As a sports content writer, staying original rather than echoing what everyone else is saying can be a real challenge. So many simply rework existing stories with their own opinions, and post-game analysis is so common that, as a reader, it often feels repetitive and uninspired.
To keep things fresh, I refuse to fall into that pattern. But that approach comes with its own challenges—sometimes it feels like a creative handicap, leading to bouts of writer’s block. I could revisit older articles and update them, but even that feels like reheating leftovers—never quite as satisfying as the original meal.
So, instead, let’s try something different—something I’ve done before on websites I’ve owned in the past—a collection of quick-hit thoughts on the Canadiens.
- Jakub Dobeš is taking heat from the fan base due to his recent performances, which is somewhat understandable, but very unfortunate. On the internet, everyone’s an expert regardless of their knowledge on any matter—not just in hockey—but few truly understand the goaltending position. The only way for a goalie to stay sharp is by playing regularly. For a young netminder, inconsistent starts and then getting shelled can hurt both development and confidence.
- Samuel Montembeault has taken on the heaviest workload. Some blame his recent struggles on fatigue, but I don’t buy it. To put his entire struggles on him would be unfair, as the team in front of him can do better. But to use that as an excuse would be just as wrong. In my opinion, Montembeault is a quality backup being used as a starter. Unfortunately, based on his utilization whether he plays well or not, the coaching staff seems to believe he’s Carey Price despite a 2.93 GAA, .898 Sv% this season, and 3.26 GAA, .898 career stats.
- If you’re a young goaltender in the Canadiens’ organization—or a fan—this should be alarming. Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton should be concerned, too. Martin St-Louis and whoever is making goaltending decisions are repeating the same mistake with Dobeš that they made with Cayden Primeau—long gaps between starts and not enough playing time. They trust young players to learn through mistakes at every other position… except in net.
- Sticking with St-Louis, what’s with his reluctance to adjust his lines mid-game when the team is flat? And why do they keep coming out unprepared in first periods? Is it inexperience? Poor preparation? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results.
- The Canadiens will get key reinforcements when Kaiden Guhle returns. The question is, who sits? Jayden Struble has played well alongside Lane Hutson, but he’s unlikely to stay in the top four with Guhle back. How much of Struble’s success is due to Hutson? David Savard, being a rare right-handed defenseman on this Habs blue line, is unlikely to come out. That leaves Arber Xhekaj, who brings a level of accountability no one else on the team provides. We saw that again against Colorado when he stood up for an injured Josh Anderson.
- Speaking of Hutson, he just keeps producing. Last night in Philadelphia, he logged over 28 minutes in the first game of a back-to-back, notched two assists, and finished plus-1 despite the team allowing six goals. He became just the fifth rookie defenseman in NHL history to hit 50 assists in a season, trailing only Larry Murphy (60), Chris Chelios (55), and tying Stefan Persson and Gary Suter (50). If this doesn’t guarantee him the Calder Trophy, we need to question the sanity of the voters.
- Brendan Gallagher has been red-hot, despite recently losing his mother to brain cancer. Through everything, Gally keeps going—and he’s producing, too, with six points in his last five games. His line, alongside Christian Dvorak and Josh Anderson, is often the Habs’ best.
- Christian Dvorak has had a strong bounce-back season. His 10 goals and 27 points are solid but don’t fully reflect his impact. His 55.5% faceoff success rate is over two percentage points higher than any other regular Canadiens center. His line has been strong at both ends of the ice. Is he worth $4.55M? No. But he’s handling every role the coaching staff throws at him.
- The fourth line is a major problem. They are completely ice cold offensively, and on a team without a McDavid, Draisaitl, Matthews, Marner, or Nylander, the Canadiens need all four lines to contribute. Joel Armia and Jake Evans have struggled since Emil Heineman’s injury, and even with Heineman back, the trio has combined for just two goals and six points in 15 games—not nearly good enough.
- Patrik Laine has stepped up his game, and it’s showing in his ice time. Earlier this month, he played 10:18 in Edmonton and 10:08 in Seattle. Since then, he’s averaging 16:27 per game and has five points in six games. More than the production, he looks more engaged than he did earlier in the season. With Alex Newhook playing excellent hockey, Laine is finally giving his center some much-needed support.
- After allowing six goals in each of their last two games, the schedule isn’t getting any easier for the Canadiens. Tonight, they face a well-rested Carolina Hurricanes team on the road. Then, it’s a home-and-home with the Florida Panthers, who may get a boost if Brad Marchand makes his long-awaited Panthers debut following injury.
- The Eastern Conference Wild Card race could be called “The Biggest Loser.” The Canadiens (3-3-4), Islanders (4-3-3), Rangers (3-6-1), Blue Jackets (2-7-1), and Red Wings (3-7-0) are all struggling to string together wins. Instead, they’re benefitting from each other’s cold streaks. Whoever can put together a small winning streak will likely claim the last playoff spot. Right now, no one seems to want it.
- While the Canadiens’ upcoming opponents aren’t all powerhouses, the schedule itself is no picnic. They play 11 games in 20 days. The one saving grace? Six of their nine games in April are at home. However, only once will they have more than two days off between games, and they have a back-to-back in Ottawa and Toronto on April 11-12. The season wraps up at home on April 16 against Carolina.
