October 21, 2025
The Montreal Canadiens welcomed the Buffalo Sabres to the Bell Centre on Monday night for the last of a four-game home stand. The result was a 4-2 win.
Here’s what caught my attention.
Noah Dobson is looking more comfortable on his new team.
From opening night, the top pair of Matheson-Dobson has looked strong. With rumours of an extension circulating, the focus has obviously been on how Matheson has found a complete game alongside Dobson.
Let’s get one thing clear. Dobson is a 1D, and he’s been making that increasingly obvious as he gets more comfortable on this young Habs team. His assist on the Slafkovsky goal was a perfect display of his mobility and smarts in the offensive zone.
Slaf is not interested in your ideas for the top line.
He’s been playing a more physical game, going to the dirty areas, creating space for Suzuki and Caufield, and has three goals to start the season. Not bad for a guy known for slow starts.
At the end of the second period, Marty gave Ivan Demidov a shift on the top line in Slafkovsky’s place, and that was enough for some fans to pronounce a new top line.
Not so fast.
The original trio was reunited for the third, and at 2:57 Slaf scored his goal. I don’t believe the coach will be in any rush to break up that line.
Dobes has earned more games.
He’s battling and making timely stops, and is simply playing better than Monty. The coach needs to reward that and give the Habs every chance to win.
Gally is way too important right now.
Don’t get me wrong. Brendan Gallagher has been nothing but a soldier for the Habs. The way he continues to find ways to be effective is nothing short of remarkable.
The Jake Evans line, that was practically invisible without Gallagher, was excellent in both games since Laine was injured and they were reunited with Gally.
Look who’s invisible now. With Dach injured, and Gally returned to the Evans line, Zack Bolduc is struggling to find a rhythm alongside Veleno and Beck. Speaking of, if Veleno wants to stay in this line-up when guys are healthy, he’s going to have to find ways to be more effective. Struble knows it.
They’re a young team, and the lines are not perfectly formed yet. There are missing pieces, but these kids are finding ways to win.
After claiming four of a possible six points in their opening road trip, the Montreal Canadiens took six of eight in their first home stand. Next up is a four-game road trip out west.
Hab At Her 