A slow start sunk the Habs in Game 51

On Thursday night, the Montreal Canadiens hosted the Buffalo Sabres. Exactly one week earlier, the Habs lost to the Sabres in Buffalo, and the result in this one was a 4-2 loss. Here are my notes from the game. An abysmal start meant this game was lost early. The Canadiens seemed to learn nothing fromContinue reading “A slow start sunk the Habs in Game 51”

The Habs found more late game heroics in Game 50

On Tuesday night, the Montreal Canadiens were back at the Bell Centre after a three-game road trip where they took three of six points. They were hosting the Minnesota Wild and the result was a 4-3 win. Here are some things worth noting. Phil Danault played his best game since his return. His goal brokeContinue reading “The Habs found more late game heroics in Game 50”

The Habs made Game 49 harder than it needed to be

On Saturday night, the Montreal Canadiens ended a road trip in Ottawa. In a road arena packed with Habs fan, the Canadiens played a sloppy one before winning it 6-5 in overtime. Here’s what caught my eye. Slafkovsky is rocking now. Two goals came from the big man’s stick again last night and he scoredContinue reading “The Habs made Game 49 harder than it needed to be”

The Texier contract extension sends a variety of messages

Earlier today, Wednesday, January 14th, the Montreal Canadiens re-signed forward Alexandre Carrier to a two-year contract extension worth $5M and with an AAV of $2.5M. This contract sends a variety of messages to several audiences. Alexandre Texier The message to Texier is clear. We value what you’ve delivered so far, and enough to commit beyondContinue reading “The Texier contract extension sends a variety of messages”

Game 42 was a big finish to a tough road trip

The Montreal Canadiens had a Sunday matinee to kick off the second half of their season. Game 42 was the final game of a five-game road trip since the holiday break, and this time they were in Dallas for a tilt against the Stars. The result was a 4-3 overtime win. Some things are worthContinue reading “Game 42 was a big finish to a tough road trip”

At the halfway point, the Montreal Canadiens have merits and demerits

The Montreal Canadiens played their 41st game of the season on Saturday afternoon against the Blues. They left St. Louis with a record of 22-13-6 and the second best points percentage in the Atlantic Division. Looking ahead to the second half of the season, the Habs have merits and demerits. Goaltending The obvious goaltending meritContinue reading “At the halfway point, the Montreal Canadiens have merits and demerits”

When the holidays are over, the Habs have to get down to business

The Montreal Canadiens entered the holiday break having played 37 games (45%) of the 2025-26 season, and with a record of 20-12-5. A winning percentage of .608 is nothing short of remarkable when you consider the adversity the Habs have faced. When they return to play after Christmas, they will play 20 games before theContinue reading “When the holidays are over, the Habs have to get down to business”

After a Game 29 beating, the Habs have a blatant problem, and not just in net

December 10, 2025 On Tuesday night, the Montreal Canadiens entertained the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell Centre. It’s a good thing the Lightning were entertained, because the fans surely were not. It was an ugly 6-1 loss for the Habs. I have one overarching take from the game. The Canadiens have a veteran problem.Continue reading “After a Game 29 beating, the Habs have a blatant problem, and not just in net”

Brief lapses lost Game 28 for the Habs

December 8, 2025 On Sunday, the St. Louis Blues were at the Bell Centre and the Montreal Canadiens were finishing their second back-to-back of the week. The Habs played well with the exception of a problematic start to the second period. The result was a 4-3 loss. Here’s some things worth noting. A couple ofContinue reading “Brief lapses lost Game 28 for the Habs”

The Habs were tight defensively and took the Game 27 win against the Leafs

December 7, 2025 On Saturday night the Montreal Canadiens were in Toronto to face the Maple Leafs. They are two teams headed in different directions, with the Leafs trying to keep their competitive window open, while the Habs are just ascending to theirs. The result on this night was a 2-1 shootout win. Some thingsContinue reading “The Habs were tight defensively and took the Game 27 win against the Leafs”