On Thursday night, the Montreal Canadiens were in the third game of a four-game homestand. The Tampa Bay Lightning were in town for a potential playoff foreshadow, and the result was a 2-1 win.
Here’s what got my attention.
After a few games of frustration, Cole Caufield hit the 50-goal milestone.
He’s the first Canadiens player to score 50 in 36 years. God bless the 14 teams that passed on him in the 2019 draft.
It’s only fitting that the assists on the goal went to Suzuki and Slafkovsky. Three guys chasing milestones together while they lead the Habs into their window of contention.
But they weren’t done. After the Lightning tied it late, overtime looked inevitable until Suzuki fed Slaf for his 30th goal of the season and the game winner.
What a night in Montreal.
Next up is 100 points for Suzuki. He’s two away now with three games remaining.
The coach tried some new looks.
While fans and pundits look for milestones, the coach is looking for the perfect line combinations for playoff success. Marty is also aware of the tough decisions coming up and he needs complete data to make those decisions.
He has to like what he’s seeing from Joe Veleno. Alex Texier feels like a versatile talent that needs to make the Game 1 line-up. Keeping them in means other guys sit, and St. Louis will be ready to make those calls.
Playoff hockey is in the air.
That was a playoff-style hockey game and you can sign me up for a series of that. A few guys on this Habs roster remember losing to the Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final in the 2020-21 season.
Josh Anderson shines in this kind of hockey. Suzuki isn’t a kid anymore. Caufield is a 50 goal man this time around. The young Habs didn’t shy away from the physicality in this game, and they’re sending a message that they’re up for anything.
What a time to be a Habs fan.
Hab At Her 