October 1, 2025
On Tuesday night the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators faced off in Quebec for a preseason match. It was a bloody affair and the result was a 5-0 win for the Habs.
Here are five quick notes from that one.
Oliver Kapanen has made this team.
It seems clear to me that’s a decision that’s already been made. He’s being tested in a variety of ways, and passing each test. I wish he was a little more comfortable when things get physical, but for now he’s shown he can play 200-foot hockey, can win a draw, and play pretty much anywhere in the lineup and not hurt them. I will be shocked if he doesn’t stick for the season.
What will Marty do with Patrik Laine?
Marty knows exactly what to do with Laine on the power play, and he’s lethal there. Demidov feeding him is a thing of beauty, but Dach looked better away from him. The coach sent him a message, lining him up with two guys in a battle to make the roster, but maybe it’s the coach who needs to get a message. Maybe Laine will just be a PP specialist who needs to be slotted low otherwise.
What happens when both guys win a battle?
Xhekaj and Struble have been competing for the sixth slot on D, and both have looked great in camp. Heck, Engstrom is NHL-ready. Is HuGo really considering an extension for Mike Matheson when the kids look so good?
Jakub Dobes has earned the backup role.
Kahkonen has been given a long look, but it’s hard to consider anyone but Dobes backing up Montembeault. The real question is whether he has earned more games this season.
Tough decisions are coming fast
I had two confirmed forward lines for the Habs yesterday and now I have one. After the Suzuki line it’s a toss-up. Lots of skilled pieces but they don’t fit together perfectly. I don’t envy Marty the task of building four effective lines.
Let the cuts continue!
Hab At Her 