A Game 20 stinker begs some questions

November 22, 2025

The Washington Capitals were in Montreal on Thursday night. Perhaps the Canadiens were hoping to avenge their playoff loss last Spring, but the exact opposite happened. The result was an embarrassing 8-4 loss.

This stinker leaves me with questions.

Can the Habs be competitive with this tandem?

They were for a portion of last year – this same tandem got them into the playoffs. For whatever reason, it’s really not working this season. Against Washington, both goalies took a turn being bad.

The expectation is that Jacob Fowler will mind the Habs net when they truly enter their competitive window. Realistically, he should spend the year in Laval, and perhaps play a tandem role next season before he claims the starting goalie role for good. So that takes us to the 27-28 season.

If we’re honest, Montembeault and Dobes are placeholders. If the rebuild didn’t get a jolt with a playoff appearance last season our expectations of them would be lower.

The question for HuGo is whether the rest of the group is good enough to require an upgrade in net before Fowler is ready, or whether the two goalies they have can be good enough for the final bits of the rebuild.

Who will pair with Lane Hutson?

Kaiden Guhle has not played since October 16, and has only appeared in four games this season. He was the intended partner for Hutson. Optimistically, he will return from abductor surgery in early January. By then, the outcome of this season might be obvious, but that’s not even the biggest concern.

In Guhle’s absence, Struble has been inconsistent with Hutson. Both Struble and Xhekaj have a golden opportunity to claim a spot in the line-up. Neither has done so. After a statement game against the Bruins, both tough guys were invisible against the heavy Capitals. I am unconvinced that either is more than a 7D.

So we are left wondering whether Guhle or David Reinbacher can stay healthy long enough to partner with Lane Hutson, so that what’s left can compete for 6-7D.

At this stage, I don’t see Guhle as a reliable top-4 option. Reinbacher should probably spend the whole year in Laval and then ease in on the third pair in Montreal next year. Maybe by the 27-28 season, he is ready to be Hutson’s partner. Maybe.

Is now the right time to shop for a 2C?

Aside from the reality that the market is clogged and the Habs need is obvious to sellers, perhaps with questions in net and on defense, and with the forward group seriously banged up… perhaps now is not the right time to add a second line centreman.

The group that played against the Washington Capitaks did not look like they could hold the fort until the injury bug subsided, or until HuGo could bring in some help.

Is it time to give up futures for help right now? Or does it make more sense to take a step back so they can take a step forward next season? Maybe by the 27-28 season, Michael Hage is ready to join the Habs with Fowler and Reinbacher.

After 20 games, many questions remain for the Montreal Canadiens.