October 9, 2025
After a loss in their opener, the Montreal Canadiens were right back at it on Thursday in the second game of their first back-to-back of the season. The Detroit Red Wings were the opponent and the result was a 5-1 win.
Here’s what caught my eye.
The Newhook – Kapanen – Demidov line is a little bit of magic.
We’ll call them the Bunsen Burner Line because they have found some serious chemistry early in the season. Okay, the name might not stick but the line should if they keep it coming. They’re speedy and smart and they’re delivering.
The second goal was a beauty lead pass from Demidov, some deception from Newhook, and a quick finish from Kapanen. But the goal wasn’t the only time they were dangerous.
Bolduc is keeping all the pressure off Dach.
What a trade! After unexpectedly landing Noah Dobson, Hughes suddenly had an extra piece on right side defense and a trade partner that wanted him. Zack Bolduc sure looks like a fit in Montreal, and his success with Dach and Gallagher turns down the volume on Dach’s tentative play so far.
Second-half Slaf broke the power play ice.
After being the most invested player on the top line in Toronto, Juraj Slafkovsky was rewarded with a power play goal in Detroit. And you wouldn’t believe it but the scoring sequence didn’t involve one drop pass.
The Suzuki line looked better in this one, but they haven’t hit their stride. The power play is still a bit of a circus. If Patrik Laine can’t find some success there he may be redundant in Montreal.
Jakub Dobes was fantastic in his first of the season.
He got some help from the goal posts for sure, but the kid was solid. If he can hold the line like that in 17 back-to-backs this season, that will mean good things for the Canadiens.
The second game of a season can hardly be must-win. But after the hole they dug for themselves last season, the Habs really wanted a win in this one. They got it, with more magic from the kids, five goals without Suzuki or Caufield notching either, and a legitimate top defensive pair surfacing in Matheson and Dobson.
A solid win. On to Chicago.
Hab At Her 