The Montreal Victoire have a strong track record when it comes to the draft. Last season, three players from the 2024 class earned spots on the PWHL All-Rookie Team during the year-end awards ceremony. All three are now playing elsewhere, but the organization was hard at work trying to fill those holes. After a pre-season practice, third-round pick Skylar Irving, second-round pick Natálie Mlýnková, and fourth-overall pick Nicole Gosling talked about what they’re looking forward to as they prepare to play in Montreal. Irving shared her excitement about the atmosphere: “Seeing games on TV for Montreal, games were packed, and it just shows how many people actually want to watch the women’s game. So that’s really, really cool to see.” Mlýnková echoed the sentiment: “The fans show up every night and you feel it. Even just from the screen on TV or experiencing it from the outside, it’s super exciting. I think I speak for all of us when I say we cannot wait to get started and experience it from the ice as well.” You can watch more from our conversation in the video below. Veteran goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens was asked after Sunday’s season opener what advice she has for the players that are going to play their first home game in Montreal. “I just want to tell them to enjoy it. The atmosphere at Place Bell is simply incredible, the fans are loud, they support us, so it’s always a pleasure to play for Montreal. I would tell them to learn from what they experienced today, continue building chemistry and build on that. The crowd will be behind us, and I know it will be our seventh player on the ice Tuesday.”  The Victoire host the New York Sirens at 7:00 p.m. at Place Bell on Tuesday night. The game is available on MSG in the US, YouTube for free outside of Canada, and Prime Video in French and English in Canada.

Montreal Canadiens News and Notes * Florian Xhekaj made a mark in his first NHL game. [Montreal Gazette] * Alexandre Texier is excited for a new start in Montreal. [La Presse | TVA Sports] * Adam Engström has earned his look in the NHL. [Radio-Canada | La Presse] * Engström and Texier bring a lot of excitement and upside, but it remains to see where they’ll fit and how they’ll do. [Le Journal de Montreal] * Joshua Roy has been returned to Laval. [Le Journal de Montreal] * Grading the Habs after the first quarter. [Sportsnet] * Similar time of year, same opponent, honesty, and getting through the tough times together. [The Athletic] * Michael Hage looks forward to a future where he might play alongside Ivan Demidov. [TVA Sports] Around the League and Elsewhere * Barry Trotz says he won’t fire Andrew Brunette. [NHL] * The Blue Jackets sign Brendan Smith. [TSN] * Brady Tkachuk could be back for the Senators. [NHL]

In this episode of PuckTalk MTL, Coach discusses one of the hottest topics for Montreal Canadiens fans: should Juraj Slafkovsky return to the Canadiens’ top line? With fluctuating line combinations and offensive struggles at times, this discussion is crucial for Habs fans, NHL fans, and hockey enthusiasts who want to understand how lineup decisions impact the team’s performance. We break down Slafkovsky’s strengths, including his size, skill, scoring ability, and presence in the offensive zone, and analyze how he pairs with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Could returning him to the top line spark more scoring chances? Or is the current setup maximizing chemistry elsewhere? We also consider matchups against NHL defenses, power play opportunities, and the Canadiens’ overall strategy moving forward. Whether you’re a die-hard Montreal Canadiens fan, a passionate NHL fan, or a hockey analyst looking to understand line strategy, this video offers insight, statistical analysis, and discussion on the future of Slafkovsky in Montreal. 🔥 LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Habs analysis, NHL breakdowns, and PuckTalk MTL content! 0:00 - Show Start 1:22 - What Made Martin St Louis Put Bolduc On The 1st Line & Demote Slafkovsky 6:06 - Coach's Logic Behind Why Slafkovsky Should Be Back On The Top Line 17:41 - Joshua Roy Sent Back Down To Laval...Is He Done in Montreal? #GoHabsGo #MontrealCanadiens #Habs #JurajSlafkovsky #NHL #HabsNation #HockeyFans #NHLFans #PuckTalk #HabsAnalysis #MontrealHockey #HockeyTalk #CanadiensTopLine #HabsUpdates #CH #HockeyVLog In every episode, Kosta Papoulias takes a deep dive into the latest Montreal Canadiens news involving Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes, Martin St Louis. Dans chaque épisode, Kosta Papoulias analyse en profondeur les dernières nouvelles des Canadiens de Montréal concernant Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes et Martin St Louis. Please Click to Subscribe / Veuillez cliquer pour vous abonner: https://bit.ly/mtlhockeytalk

In this episode of PuckTalk MTL, Kosta gives his opinion on the impact of Alexandre Texier’s signing with the Montreal Canadiens and how it could ripple through the team’s lineup, strategy, and overall chemistry. Canadiens fans, NHL fans, and hockey enthusiasts alike will want to watch as we analyze how Texier fits into the Habs’ forward group, potential line combinations, and his influence on both offense and special teams. We dive into Texier’s NHL track record, playing style, versatility, and how his addition could change the dynamics for key players like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky. This signing isn’t just about one player—it’s about the ripple effect across the roster, coaching adjustments, and the Canadiens’ approach to the season. Whether you’re a Montreal Canadiens fan, an NHL fan, or a passionate hockey fan, this video gives you detailed analysis, insight, and projections for what Texier’s arrival could mean for the Habs. 0:00 - Show Start 1:30 - Why Did The St Louis Blues Buy Out Texier's Contract? 4:24 - Hunger & Motivation - Defimitely Something The Habs Need 5:20 - How Will Texier's Acquisition Affect Florian Xhekaj/Jared Davidson's ice time? 10:04 - Does Texier's Signing Send The Wrong Message To Players in Laval? 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Montreal Canadiens analysis, NHL coverage, and PuckTalk insights! #GoHabsGo #MontrealCanadiens #Habs #NHL #PuckTalk #AlexandreTexier #HabsNation #HockeyFans #NHLFans #CanadiensAnalysis #HabsUpdates #HockeyTalk #MontrealHockey #HabsNews #HockeyAnalysis #CH #HockeyVLog In every episode, Kosta Papoulias takes a deep dive into the latest Montreal Canadiens news involving Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes, Martin St Louis. Dans chaque épisode, Kosta Papoulias analyse en profondeur les dernières nouvelles des Canadiens de Montréal concernant Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes et Martin St Louis. Please Click to Subscribe / Veuillez cliquer pour vous abonner: https://bit.ly/mtlhockeytalk

For the first time in their history, the Montreal Victoire lost the first game of their season, falling 2-0 to the Boston Fleet on Sunday afternoon at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, MA. Montreal had won their previous two season openers, both against Ottawa. Their inaugural game needed overtime, while last year’s game was won in a shootout. Aerin Frankel made 25 saves while Boston got goals from Susanna Tapani and Megan Keller to get start their season off with a win. Tapani scored 1:13 into the game with a goal that would hold up as the game-winning goal. The game remained scoreless until the 1:42 mark of the third period when Keller scored on the power play to double the Boston lead. Ann-Renée Desbiens 26 saves for the Victoire, including several great ones as the game could have been even more lopsided if not for her performance. Discipline, or a lack thereof plagued Montreal as they gave Boston six power plays in the game, and it was a testament to their penalty kill that they only allowed one goal while shorthanded. Montreal did not get a power play opportunity in the game. The line of Abby Roque, Marie-Philip Poulin, and Laura Stacey generated some offensive chances but it was not meant to be in their first official game together. “Pou’s always going to find a way to create something, to find some momentum, and their line certainly did do that,” said head coach Kori Cheverie. “It just didn’t end up in the back of the net. We’ll make adjustments. We’ll fight through and she will make adjustments as well. I really liked some of the looks that they had and some of the momentum that they started, and some of the face offs that they ran. It’s game one.” Earlier in the day, Montreal added their second forward to LTIR when Jade Downie-Landry was placed on the injured list. The team signed Maya Labad from their reserve roster to replace her, but she did not dress in this game as the Victoire elected to play 12 forwards and seven defenders. Montreal now heads back home for a day off on Monday before hosting the New York Sirens in their home opener on Tuesday night at Place Bell. Lineup Abby Roque – Marie-Philip Poulin – Laura Stacey Natálie Mlýnková – Shiann Darkangelo – Maureen Murphy Dara Greig – Hayley Scamurra – Skylar Irving Catherine Dubois – Alexandra Labelle – Kaitlin Willoughby Nicole Gosling – Erin Ambrose Maggie Flaherty – Kati Tabin Jessica DiGirolamo – Amanda Boulier Kelly-Ann Nadeau Ann-Renée Desbiens Sandra Abstreiter Scratches: Maya Labad (F), Megan Warrener (G), Lina Ljungblom (F) [LTIR-Illness], Jade Downie-Landry (F) [LTIR-Upper body injury] It was the PWHL debut for Montreal’s first three draft picks: Gosling, Mlýnková, and Irving. Five other players made their debuts for the team: Roque, Darkangelo, Scamurra, Flaherty, and DiGirolamo. Full Highlights

Montreal Canadiens news and notes * Alexandre Texier rejected a better financial offer to sign with the Canadiens. [Journal de Montreal] * Texier allowed Montreal to address the centre position after losing out on David Kampf a week earlier. [Sportsnet] * Montreal may not have a true second-line centre, but Juraj Slafkovský’s recent play is suggesting that he could lead the second trio from the wing. [La Presse] * Slafkovský says he feels his game truly comes alive when he’s the player entrusted with carrying the puck. [The Athletic] * A short-handed assist and power-play goal moved Alexander Zharovsky to the top of Ufa’s scoring list. [Journal de Montreal] Around the league and elsewhere * Alexander Romanov will miss five to six months as he recovers from surgery for a shoulder injury sustained in a hit from Mikko Rantanen. [NHL.com] * With Rantanen handed a second game misconduct in three games for boarding Matthew Coronato of the Calgary Flames, he has been automatically suspended for one game. [NHL.com] * The Buffalo Sabres placed Alexandar Georgiev on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. [TSN] * Some rule changes might be needed to put the excitement back in three-on-three overtime. [Sportsnet]

Welcome back to another PuckTalk MTL - Canadiens Week in Review, where we break down everything Habs fans need to know! This week, the Montreal Canadiens finally snapped their 5-game losing streak, delivering a much-needed bounce-back performance that has Habs fans, NHL fans, and hockey fans talking. In this episode, we take a deep dive into what went wrong during the slump, what the Canadiens did to turn things around, and which players stepped up at the perfect time. We analyze key storylines from the week, including Studs & Duds of the Week, coaching adjustments, special teams changes, lineup decisions, and standout moments that helped the Habs regain momentum. Whether you’re following the Canadiens’ rebuild, tracking their young core, or simply keeping up with NHL storylines, this video offers detailed analysis and insights that diehard fans will appreciate. If you’re a Montreal Canadiens fan, a general NHL fan, or just love breaking down hockey strategy, this weekly recap will keep you informed, engaged, and ready for the next matchup. 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Habs analysis, NHL breakdowns, weekly Canadiens recaps, and all things PuckTalk! 0:00 - Show Start 1:22 - This Week For The Canadiens Wasn't As Bad As We Might Think 3:33 - Studs & Duds For This Past Week For The Habs 11:49 - Next Week In #HabsNation #GoHabsGo #MontrealCanadiens #Habs #NHL #HockeyFans #HabsNation #CanadiensHighlights #NHLAnalysis #HockeyTalk #PuckTalk #CH #HockeyVLog In every episode, Kosta Papoulias takes a deep dive into the latest Montreal Canadiens news involving Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes, Martin St Louis. Dans chaque épisode, Kosta Papoulias analyse en profondeur les dernières nouvelles des Canadiens de Montréal concernant Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes et Martin St Louis. Please Click to Subscribe / Veuillez cliquer pour vous abonner: https://bit.ly/mtlhockeytalk

In this episode of PuckTalk MTL - The Art Of The Save, Kosta breaks down one of the most critical skills in goaltending: mastering angles. Every save starts with the right positioning, and understanding angles can mean the difference between a routine stop and a goal against. Whether you’re a Montreal Canadiens fan, an NHL fan, a young hockey goalie, or a goalie coach, this video provides in-depth analysis of how elite goaltenders use angles to control the net and anticipate shots. We cover the fundamentals of proper goalie positioning, how to read shooters, and how to close gaps effectively while staying square to the puck. Using examples from the NHL, including top Habs goaltenders, we illustrate how mastering angles improves rebound control, net coverage, and overall confidence in the crease. This video is perfect for goalie development, coaching tips, and fans who want to understand the art behind every incredible NHL save. Whether you’re on the ice or cheering from the stands, you’ll gain insight into why angles are crucial for every goaltender’s success. 🔥 LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more hockey goalie tips, Montreal Canadiens analysis, NHL breakdowns, and PuckTalk MTL insights! 0:00 - Show Start 0:44 - What Are Angles? 2:49 - Depth In Goal And It's Importance For Proper Angling 8:37 - Standard Angles When Lining Up For Faceoffs 10:30 - 3D Goaltending - The Swedes Teach It Best #GoHabsGo #MontrealCanadiens #NHL #HockeyGoalies #GoalieCoaches #PuckTalk #Habs #HockeyFans #GoalieTips #NHLAnalysis #HockeyTraining #MontrealHockey #HabsNation #HockeySkills#CH #HockeyVLog In every episode, Kosta Papoulias takes a deep dive into the latest Montreal Canadiens news involving Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes, Martin St Louis. Dans chaque épisode, Kosta Papoulias analyse en profondeur les dernières nouvelles des Canadiens de Montréal concernant Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes et Martin St Louis. Please Click to Subscribe / Veuillez cliquer pour vous abonner: https://bit.ly/mtlhockeytalk

After two exceptional games for the Laval Rocket this weekend versus the Belleville Senators, defenceman Adam Engström has been called up from the AHL’s Laval Rocket by the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens agree to terms on a one-year contract with forward Alexandre Texier and recall defenseman Adam Engstrom from the Laval Rocket. News release ↓ #GoHabsGohttps://t.co/9xVtVjd1mk— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 23, 2025 The Swedish defenceman has played well for the Rocket all season before truly breaking out over the past couple of days. He has five goals and nine assists through 18 games played, already half of what he produced in all of 2024-25. As a left-shot defenceman who plays on the right side, he provides plenty of options for the organization going forward. Montreal doesn’t play again until Wednesday when it begins a Western Conference road trip, so Engström will have the chance to participate in some NHL practices and get to see the routine of NHL players over the next few days. Montreal has six healthy defencemen on the roster already, so there is no guarantee that he will play during his first NHL recall, but the experience of joining the team on a road trip will be good for him. Engström was selected in the third round of the NHL draft back in 2022, and would follow Juraj Slafkovský, Owen Beck, Lane Hutson, and Jared Davidson as the fifth member of that Habs class to play in Montreal when the time comes to make his NHL debut.

When the St. Louis Blues placed forward Alexandre Texier on unconditional waivers, rumours began to swirl as to where he would land following his eventual contract termination. Given the injuries the Montreal Canadiens have been dealing with up front, they were naturally put forward as a potential landing spot, and even referred to as a favourite by some insiders leading up to today. Now, with his contract officially terminated, the Habs have inked him to a one-year contract. Congratulations to Alexandre Texier on signing a 1-year NHL contract with the Montréal #GoHabsGo ! #WeAreGoldStar! pic.twitter.com/WfQQPa8nr8— Dan Milstein (@HockeyAgent1) November 23, 2025 The deal carries a $1 million AAV that would be prorated against the team’s cap this season. Interestingly, reports are out there that he had a higher dollar value on the table elsewhere, but chose the Canadiens anyways. Texier has appeared in just eight games for the Blues this season, registering a single assist. He is only two years removed from a career-high of 30 points with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023-24, and the Habs will hope to unlock some of that potential by giving him a shot in their bottom six. He may have some familiarity with some folks in the Canadiens organization, having spent time with KalPa in Finland at the same time as Oliver Kapanen, and with the Blue Jackets during the time when AHL bench boss Pascal Vincent was coaching there. He should join the Habs for their road trip, and could potentially debut during one of their upcoming games.

Theme Music provided by@FuzzekeMusic In this special series, titled “The Art of the Save ", Coach gets you into the mindset, mechanics, and development path of hockey’s most unique position: the goaltender. Whether you're a Montreal Canadiens fan, an NHL fan, a young goalie, or a hockey coach looking for insight, this video breaks down exactly what it takes to identify a perspective goalie. We explore the fundamentals behind goaltending—reflexes, positioning, skating, reads, discipline, and mental toughness—as well as the incredible preparation and commitment needed to play between the pipes. From NHL legends to modern stars, goalie technique has evolved, and we break down how today’s goaltenders adapt to faster shots, smarter offenses, and advanced systems. If you love the Montreal Canadiens, we will also touch on current Habs goaltending development, promising prospects, and how the position continues to shape the future of the team as this series progresses. For hockey coaches, this episode provides valuable insight into how to identify young goalies early on. Whether you’re a goalie yourself, a fan of NHL goaltending, or someone fascinated by the craft behind every save, this video is built for you. Subscribe for more Canadiens content, NHL analysis, goalie breakdowns, and PuckTalk MTL episodes! #Habs #GoHabsGo #NHL #Hockey #IceHockey #Goaltending #CH #HockeyVLog In every episode, Kosta Papoulias takes a deep dive into the latest Montreal Canadiens news involving Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes, Martin St Louis. Dans chaque épisode, Kosta Papoulias analyse en profondeur les dernières nouvelles des Canadiens de Montréal concernant Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes et Martin St Louis. Please Click to Subscribe / Veuillez cliquer pour vous abonner: https://bit.ly/mtlhockeytalk

Losers of five straight, and about to embark on a tough three-game road trip out west, the Montreal Canadiens needed something positive to come from a Saturday night tilt with the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre. They got exactly what they needed out of that game, coming together for a very strong showing in a 5-2 win, allowing them to hit the road with some confidence this week. It was a dominant effort from top to bottom, and came at a time when the team sorely needed to prove to themselves that they remain capable of such an effort. Juraj Slafkovsky with some great patience, starts a tic-tac-toe to Demidov and ultimately Noah Dobson for his second of the night. 3-0 #Habs pic.twitter.com/uvVjlXGudx— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) November 23, 2025 It was possibly Noah Dobson’s best game as a Hab, chipping in two goals in the win. Josh Anderson also continued his Leaf-killer ways with two goals of his own. Florian Xhekaj fell just shy of a Gordie Howe hat trick in his NHL debut, registering an assist and a fight. Contributions were coming from everywhere in the lineup, and even those who didn’t register multi-point nights were playing at a level that would typically see them get there. If you just look at the box score, you might be able to overlook the performance of one Juraj Slafkovsky for all the scoring that came from elsewhere in the lineup. He looked like a different animal against the Leafs, driving the play and keeping the Leafs on their heels every time he stepped on the ice. He had some nice silver lining performances during the losing streak, and seems to be kicking things into high gear at a very important juncture in the season. Goaltending had been the most persistent issue for the team during the losing streak. Jakub Dobes didn’t need to be spectacular with the way the team played in front of him, but he didn’t give up any cringe-worthy goals either. Hopefully this is the kind of game that can give him a bit more confidence, which can only improve if the team in front of him keeps giving efforts like that one. Now the team can hit the road with a little more pep in their step. The losing streak felt like it had sapped the confidence not only from their netminders, but from the team in front of them. They were selling out to try and generate chances while coming from behind, exacerbating their issues in net by giving up odd-man rushes the other way. They got back to their game against Toronto, and hopefully can carry that with them on what figures to be a tough road trip. And not for nothing, there may just be a new fan favourite at the Bell Centre. Bienvenue à Montréal, mon Florian. W in his first NHL fight. pic.twitter.com/8eG846ohZA— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) November 23, 2025 Click the play button below to listen to your full Bottom Six Minutes, also available wherever you get your podcasts. We’ll be back on Wednesday night for the start of the road trip against the Utah Mammoth.

In the locker room after the Laval Rocket’s 7-2 win over the Belleville Senators on Saturday at Place Bell, Adam Engström was talking about his career-high five-point performance, with one goal and four assists. “I’m working hard every day in the D zone. When you work harder, maybe you build yourself a little bit of karma,” he said. “Sometimes you’re lucky and today I was a little bit lucky.” A few minutes later, his head coach Pascal Vincent was told that Engström called himself lucky. “Who did?,” Vincent asked before being told it was Adam again. “Engström?,” he asked again, dumbfounded. “He’s being dominant out there,” Vincent said. “He’s controlling the game. He’s using his edges, skating, his ability to escape, shooting the puck. It’s what, three games with of goal now? That’s the end part, but he’s just defending so well and just seeing the game. It seems like it’s a bit too slow for him right now. So I don’t agree with him. He’s not lucky. He’s just good.” Nothing showed Engström’s confidence like his goal, a play that put the Rocket up 3-1, and was the eventual game-winning goal. He took the puck, took a couple of turns in the offensive zone, and then fired the puck past the goaltender. Adam Engström is just out there trying stuff for fun and scoring goals [image or embed]— Scott Matla (@scottmatla.bsky.social) November 22, 2025 at 4:36 PM “He’s always been that type of player that makes plays and can shoot the puck,” said Rocket forward Sean Farrell, who had two goals off of Engström passes. “Really a special player, happy he’s on our team and he’s had a great stretch this week.” The physicality between the two teams started early, with a scrum less than four minutes into the game leading to a Senators power play. The Rocket had a power play of their own, but both had very little in the way of offence. The game remained scoreless until Engström fed David Reinbacher for a one-timer where he wired a slap shot over the shoulder of Belleville goaltender Jackson Parsons. It was Reinbacher’s second goal of the season, and it caused a long delay as it prompted the annual Teddy Bear toss. Shortly after the delay, Belleville tied the game when Philippe Daoust beat Jacob Fowler with a shot from the left circle. The Rocket appeared to take the lead around five minutes into the second period when Laurent Dauphin made great moves to get around the Belleville defence but was stopped by Parsons. His momentum brought him into the goaltender, and as the puck squirted out to the slot Alex Belzile put it in the net. However, the goal was disallowed for goaltender interference even though Dauphin was physically backing up out of the crease at the time of the goal being scored. Shortly after that, Djibril Touré and Lucas Condotta took double minors for roughing, where Touré seemed to throw punches before Condotta could remove his gloves while the two were engaged. Then, Alex Belzile and Dennis Gilbert dropped the gloves for real a little over a minute later. Laval took the lead for real just 1:21 after the Belzile fight. Another save by Parsons in tight saw the puck go out to the top of the slot where Filip Mešár picked it up and wired a long wrist shot into the net left open. It was Mešár’s third goal of the season. Just 29 seconds later, Adam Engström made several twists and turns before firing a shot past Parsons. It was his fifth goal of the season and his third straight game with a goal. Wyatt Bongiovanni made it 3-2 on the power play in the second period before the Rocket took full control of the game in the third period. The Rocket started the third on the power play, before getting 57 seconds of five-on-three time due to a second Belleville penalty. That would only last 17 seconds before Owen Beck took a penalty of his own but on the ensuing four-on-three power play, Engström found Farrell for his first of two goals on the day. All that happened just 53 seconds into the frame. Just 45 seconds later, Reinbacher scored his second goal of the game when he potted a Dauphin rebound. Touré took another roughing penalty shortly after that, and Laval made them pay again when Farrell scored his second power play goal of the period at the 3:43 mark. The last penalty would get Touré booed and taunted aggressively by the Place Bell crowd for the rest of the night. “It’s important when they’re doing stuff like that, to get on the power play and be ready to execute,” Farrell said about making the Senators pay for their aggressive antics. “I’m glad we got to get a couple tonight.” William Trudeau added the Rocket’s seventh goal with an insane bar-down goal from the slot. Laval swept the weekend series and are two points up on the Syracuse Crunch for first in the North Division. They now have a full week off before heading to Lehigh Valley next Saturday to start a stretch of four road games in five, including two more in Belleville against the Senators. “It’s the best feeling,” Engström said about the two wins. “It’s getting to be a big rivalry right now, I feel like.” Full Highlights Notes * Owen Beck had a three assist game with five shots on goal * 11,588 teddy bears were thrown on the ice after Reinbacher’s first goal

When expansion forced the Victoire to part with key pieces of its lineup, Montreal suddenly found itself in need of blue-liners, and with one of their more reliable defenders in Kati Tabin a pending unrestricted free agent, it could have been even worse. However, general manager Danièle Sauvageau wasted no time re-signing Kati Tabin to a two-year deal., as it was the first signing announced by the team ahead of what ended up being a very busy free-agency period. Tabin wasn’t just a steady presence on the back end; she delivered in big moments — scoring the game-winner at the Takeover Tour stop in Quebec City and netting two goals in the overtime win at the Bell Centre. When asked what made her commit to staying in Montreal, Tabin said: “It’s a great organization from bottom to top. You know, everyone here is here to win and here to put in the work every single day […] when you’re a part of that type of environment, it’s contagious—and I love it.” Looking ahead to the upcoming Takeover Tour stop in her hometown of Winnipeg, MB, she shared how special the moment will be: “Besides being invited to try out for the Olympics and then also being drafted by Montreal, that is a dream of mine—to play in front of fans and friends in Winnipeg. That’s another dream I never thought would be achieved, and yet here we are this year. I’m excited, and yeah, it’s gonna be a cool moment.” Video from our chat can be found below. The Victoire open the season Sunday against the Fleet in Boston, and they’ll play their home opener at Place Bell in Laval on November 25th. Tickets are still available here. 

Montreal Canadiens news and notes * Florian Xhekaj thanked his mother for helping him recover from injuries in his youth and Pascal Vincent — “the best coach I’ve ever had” — for helping him achieve his dream of playing in the NHL. [Journal de Montreal] * Arber Xhekaj was a proud brother when Florian’s first NHL point was announced. [TVA Sports] * Jake Evans said he made the decision himself to pull out of the third period versus Washington, wanting to make sure he was clear of a concussion given his history of them. [Journal de Montreal] * François Gagnon hands out his quarter-season grades. [RDS] * Alexandre Texier will have his contract bought out by the St. Louis Blues, and Montreal is a front-runner to sign the forward. [TSN] * The St. Louis Blues’ trade of Zachary Bolduc and the Vegas Golden Knights parting with Nick Suzuki to acquire Max Pacioretty are among the top trades NHL teams would nix in a do-over. [The Athletic] * Jessica DiGirolomo had Montreal on the top of her list when she became a free agent, and is looking forward to bringing her physical game to the Victoire. [La Presse] Around the league and elsewhere * “With a veteran team like that, that shouldn’t happen,” a frustrated Craig Berube said of his Toronto Maple Leafs getting severely outplayed in the second period last night. [Sportsnet] * Sidney Crosby recorded his 500th multi-point game on Saturday. [NHL.com] * The Philadelphia Flyers set a new franchise mark with three goals in 26 seconds. [Sportsnet] * Nicklas Backstrom is happy for the chance to continue his hockey career in the SHL. [NHL.com]

THE LOSIGN STREAK IS OVER!!! In this episode, Kosta breaks down every major storyline from the Montreal Canadiens’ dominant win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Canadiens fans, NHL fans, and Leafs fans alike won’t want to miss this in-depth post-game analysis filled with key moments, player breakdowns, and reactions. We dive into Florian Xhekaj’s highly anticipated NHL debut, how he impacted the game, and why Habs fans are buzzing about his future. We also break down Montreal’s explosive offense, disciplined defensive play, and the standout performances that pushed the Canadiens to a convincing 5-2 victory over their heated rivals. Leafs fans can expect honest analysis on what went wrong for Toronto, including defensive lapses, inconsistent zone coverage, and missed opportunities against a Habs squad that simply controlled the pace. Whether you're a Montreal Canadiens fan, a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, or a hockey fan following one of the NHL’s greatest rivalries, this video is packed with insight, highlights, reactions, and post-game storylines you won’t see anywhere else. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Canadiens analysis, NHL breakdowns, and PuckTalk MTL post-game coverage all season long! #Habs #GoHabsGo #NHL #Hockey #IceHockey #CH #HockeyVLog In every episode, Kosta Papoulias takes a deep dive into the latest Montreal Canadiens news involving Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes, Martin St Louis. Dans chaque épisode, Kosta Papoulias analyse en profondeur les dernières nouvelles des Canadiens de Montréal concernant Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes et Martin St Louis. Please Click to Subscribe / Veuillez cliquer pour vous abonner: https://bit.ly/mtlhockeytalk

First period * Florian Xhekaj starts his first NHL shift with a loud hit on Troy Stecher in the offensive zone. * Well there’s a hockey game being played, but so far it looks like what you’d expect from teams that haven’t won many games in the past few weeks. * Jakub Dobeš shoots out his leg to pinch the puck on the post after a wraparound attempt by Dakota Joshua. A good save for him early. * It looks like Toronto is the first team to wake up in the contest. * The Leafs are probably doing Dobeš a favour by tossing pucks at him from range. He has six saves and only the wraparound could be classified as dangerous. * But, even that is more than Montreal has done, with one shots through seven minutes. * Just how bad has the Leafs’ defence been that a backcheck from a forward is worth two replays? * Brendan Gallagher triples the Habs’ shot total with a shift in the offensive zone. The goal last game has given him some confidence it appears. * Jayden Struble isn’t happy about a Leaf snowing Dobeš and then going after Florian, and ends up with an extra two from the scrum. * Tavares works in close to the net as Mike Matheson back off to protect the top of the crease, and backhands the puck off Josh Anderson at the side of the net. * Cole Caufield aggressively attacks the blue line to end the Leafs’ offensive-zone play, then turns the puck up ice. He gets over the line, hands the puck off to Suzuki, and with Gallagher drawing attention by crashing the net, Suzuki finds a trailing Lane Hutson to open the scoring. Nick Suzuki with a patently absurd pass through traffic sets up Lane Hutson to make it 1-0 #Habs [image or embed]— Matt Drake (@drakemt.bsky.social) November 22, 2025 at 8:41 PM * Mere seconds later, Noah Dobson misfires on a one-timer set up by Matheson, but gets it through traffic to make it 2-0. Great work by Mike Matheson in the OZ, spins and tees up Noah Dobson who makes it 2-0 #Habs [image or embed]— Matt Drake (@drakemt.bsky.social) November 22, 2025 at 8:43 PM * Gallagher gets tripped up and will earn the Canadiens a power play. Suddenly he’s very involved in the action as a silent start to the season. * Demidov just misses on a cross-ice feed from Suzuki that would have made it 3-0. * Zachary Bolduc gets the puck 15 feet from the net and opts for a blind reverse that misses Hutson and leaves the zone. That’s not what he’s on that unit to do. * Too much passing, and the players just don’t seem to understand that. * Demidov gets a shot in the final second, but misses just wide once more. He’s getting his chances, though, playing well once again with Slafkovský after they didn’t have much of an impact versus Washington. * That wasn’t the strongest period Montreal has played this season, but they finished it well. The most important thing is that Dobeš looks steady in the net, stopping all 11 shots he faced, such as they were. Second period * The top line is determined to make it 3-0, but Joseph Woll denies both Caufield and Suzuki. * Hutson gets the next chance by going to the net for a Slafkovský pass. Woll stops his redirection. * Craig Berube might have to make another plea in the media trying to get his players to care about the game they get paid to play after this game. * Suzuki gets a one-time attempt. Montreal hasn’t seen a defensive zone this porous in a while. * Toronto had a good shift. Craig Simpson is giving them a gold star. * Now he’ll rip it off the performance evaluation as Slafkovský and Demidov go back to work. Slafkovský moves the puck up to Demidov near the side of the net who immediately bumps it back to a charging Dobson, and the Prince Edward Islander has two goals on the night. Absolutely beautiful play by the Habs gives Noah Dobson his second goal of the night 3-0 Habs [image or embed]— Scott Matla (@scottmatla.bsky.social) November 22, 2025 at 9:22 PM * A shift on which the Canadiens made the Leafs look like an ECHL team results in a delayed penalty. Montreal moves the puck around well looking for the very available one-timer lanes. The ref’s arm must have been going numb because he blew the play down after the puck glanced off a Maple Leaf stick, spoiling the effort versus a fatigued Leafs unit. * Too many passes once more. There’s enough talent on the ice that the perfect setup isn’t required. * Slafkovský blows right through the defence that is clearly expecting a drop pass, and forced Woll into another great save. * Now it’s Demidov’s turn to burn past the defence, and he draws a hooking call. Montreal spends 1:12 with the puck creating a handful of chances with the extra skater. The ref is working on his calisthenics tonight. * Not to turn this effort into goal number four. * Oliver Kapanen almost gets it, then Woll robs Slafkovský on the rebound. * The power play expires, but Montreal keep outworking the Leafs. The fourth line puts together an overwhelming shift, and it ends with a goal for Josh Anderson who picks the top corner off Woll’s shoulder. FIRST NHL POINT FOR FLORIAN XHEKAJ! Josh Anderson with a snipe makes it 4-0 [image or embed]— Scott Matla (@scottmatla.bsky.social) November 22, 2025 at 9:41 PM * Florian Xhekaj earns his first NHL point with the primary assist on the play. * Berube pulls the only player on his team who showed up tonight, putting in Dennis Hildeby. * The move seems to have had the effect Berune hopes. The Leafs have responded with some life. * Montreal will need to ramp its own play back up again. You can’t just sit on a four-goal lead versus William Nylander’s team. * Slafkovský sets up Kapanen for Montreal’s first chance in a while. * The Leafs take advantage of their better play since the goalie change by making it 4-1. This game isn’t over yet. * The lack of attention to detail that has crept in results in a too many men call. Suddenly there’s danger of this becoming a two-goal game. * The survived until the end of the period with a solid kill. That was shaping up to be the best period of the season, but they let up once they made it 4-0. That effort won’t do in the third. Third period * Caufield turns defence to offence more with a breakaway from inside his blue line, but Hildeby makes the save. * The fourth line has another good shift in the offensive zone. Running a minute off the clock 150 feet away from their zone is a good thing at this stage. * Right now Dobes is just concerning himself with staying square to the shooter and letting the puck hit him. It’s not a bad strategy to try to get your game back. * Montreal is getting hemmed in more often now. They believe they’ve done enough to win this game. * Gallagher gets into a scrum with Dakota Mermis in the crease. Arber Xhekaj is watching on from the bench to see the numbers of the Leafs players involved. * Florian and Mermis drop the gloves in front of Toronto’s net and start chucking. For some reason Toronto gets a power play out of it with an extra slash on Xhekaj. * Nylander scores on the man advantage, and it’s 4-2 with five minutes to play. * The Leafs pull their goalie shortly after the goal. * Anderson nets his second goal, smack dab in the centre of the net from centre ice, to secure the win versus his favourite opponent. * Xhekaj tries to hold the puck for the final seconds, and Dakota Joshua comes in with a hit. Xhekaj wrestles him to the ice as the horn sounds. * Not a perfect game, but it is an important win. Now for three days off before a difficult road trip. EOTP 3 Stars 3) They’re always trying to force the prospects to become stars 2) I think the correct answer is Jakub Dobeš 1) You don’t want to anger mama bear

Game 21: Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet E/O/P (English), TVA Sports (French) Streaming: CBC Gem, ESPN+ The good news is that Jake Evans is good to go after taken an elbow from Tom Wilson last game. The better news is that Florian Xhekaj, called up when Evans had to miss practice on Friday, will be in the lineup anyway to make his NHL debut. The forward hasn’t had the start to the season in the AHL to match how he played in his first professional campaign, but brings some of the elements Martin St-Louis has been asking his players to provide. The key to a good first game for him will be to play on the edge without going over it and forcing the penalty kill into action. Jakub Dobeš gets the start tonight after he came on in relief early in the second period on Thursday. He didn’t have much more success that Samuel Montembeault in the game, allowing four goals, and has now gone five consecutive appearances without achieving anything higher than an .870 save percentage. Montreal needs that trend to end if it’s going to claim the win. Montreal’s offence has been slowly recovering since losing Alex Newhook to injury and being forced to juggle lines that had been working well. They did score four in the loss to Washington and were a save from a defenceman away from netting five. With Toronto down Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, that level of production could be enough to come out on top tonight. Montreal Canadiens projected lineup .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-ymce{background-color:#BE2F37;color:#FFF;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} .tg .tg-8d8j{text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} Left Wing Centre Right Wing #13 Cole Caufield #14 Nick Suzuki #76 Zachary Bolduc #20 Juraj Slafkovský #91 Oliver Kapanen #93 Ivan Demidov #63 Florian Xhekaj #71 Jake Evans #17 Josh Anderson #49 Jared Davidson #90 Joe Veleno #11 Brendan Gallagher .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-rjwb{background-color:#21386F;color:#FFF;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} .tg .tg-8d8j{text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} Left Defence Right Defence #8 Mike Matheson #53 Noah Dobson #47 Jayden Struble #48 Lane Hutson #72 Arber Xhekaj #45 Alexandre Carrier .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-n1r7{background-color:#FFF;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} .tg .tg-8d8j{text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} Starter Backup #75 Jakub Dobeš #35 Samuel Montembeault Scratched: Joshua Roy Injured: Kirby Dach, Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook Toronto Maple Leafs projected lineup .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-bobw{font-weight:bold;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} .tg .tg-nrix{text-align:center;vertical-align:middle} .tg .tg-8d8j{text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} Left Wing Centre Right Wing William Nylander John Tavares Calle Jarnkrok Bobby McMann Max Domi Nick Robertson Steven Lorentz Scott Laughton Easton Cowan Sammy Blais Dakota Joshua Matias Maccelli .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-bobw{font-weight:bold;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} .tg .tg-8d8j{text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} Left Defence Right Defence Morgan Rielly Oliver Ekman-Larsson Simon Benoit Jake McCabe Dakota Mermis Troy Stecher .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-bobw{font-weight:bold;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} .tg .tg-8d8j{text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} Starter Backup Joseph Woll Dennis Hildeby

Game 21: Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet E/O/P (English), TVA Sports (French) Streaming: CBC Gem, ESPN+ For the first time this season, the Montreal Canadiens’ skaters seemed to get demoralized by their goaltending on Thursday night. They responded well after Samuel Montembeault allowed a goal just as the game began by tying the game before the first period was up, but another two quick goals to begin the second changed their game. The initial pushback after going down 3-1 led to a goal of their own, but the structure faltered from there with numerous defensive lapses and forwards deviating from the usual breakout formation trying to create offence on their own. The result was another five goals against after that initial 3-1 deficit, and the three additional goals the Habs scored themselves weren’t nearly enough to keep pace in an 8-4 loss. Martin St-Louis made his point clear yesterday that the team couldn’t abandon the style of play that got them off to a good start and had them getting closer to a win with quality efforts leading up to Thursday’s contest. You have to think the goaltending woes factored into the intensity of his message as well, fully aware that the execution of the players is critical to preventing the puck from reaching the net as often as possible. It’s a tough situation for everyone, but the punishment of an immediate goal against for each mistake might at least prevent bad habits from forming. The coach also knew that a repeat of that performance was possible tonight if the issues weren’t addressed. Despite the eight goals, Washington hasn’t been a strong offensive team this season. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been, scoring 72 goals through 21 games played, and have the ability to run up another high total on the scoreboard. Tale of the Tape .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px; font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-ymce{background-color:#BE2F37;color:#FFF;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} .tg .tg-8d8j{text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom} Canadiens Statistics Maple Leafs 10-7-3 Record 9-9-3 50.3% (14th) Expected-goal share 49.4% (19th) 3.35 (5th) Goals per game 3.43 (4th) 3.60 (29th) Goals against per game 3.67 (30th) 22.0% (13th) PP% 14.6% (27th) 76.8% (23rd) PK% 79.0% (19th) 0-1-0 Head-to-Head Record 1-0-0 Cole Caufield (13) Most goals John Tavares (12) Nick Suzuki (17) Most assists William Nylander (18) Nick Suzuki (22) Most points John Tavares (27) As the clubs come together for the second time this season, however, the Maple Leafs are dealing with injuries to their forwards that have impacted that offensive performance. In the past seven games they’ve scored four goals just a single time, and have won one game, very similar to what Montreal has done over the past couple of weeks. The biggest loss has been Auston Matthews, out with a lower-body injury since November 11, but Matthew Knies joins him as another member of the opening-night top line forced to sit on the sidelines. The latest report is that Knies is nearing a return, but that is unlikely to come tonight in Montreal. The offence has therefore been left up to those who would normally make up the second line, and John Tavares and William Nylander have done all they can to help out, each with 27 points so far. The main issue is that the team’s depth wasn’t strong even with a healthy roster, and now those players are being forced to play higher roles on the team, and the results speak for themselves about how that is going. Toronto’s injury issues extend to their goaltending position with Anthony Stolarz currently out with an upper-body injury. Stolarz does have a fair record of 6-5-1, but his other stats have been far from impressive with an .884 save percentage and 3.51 goals-against average. Having returned from a season-opening injury of his own, Joseph Woll has been much better with at least a .900 save percentage in all three games he’s played. That’s what the Canadiens will be going up against tonight, requiring them to outplay their opponent just to offset the disparity in goaltending quality they will see. Montreal is capable of doing that, and had been for several games before the loss in Washington. The Canadiens already have one loss versus a Maple Leafs side they outperformed on the opening night of their season, and should be motivated to even the record versus their rival. Everyone is eager to see this losing streak come to an end, and an opponent that has just one road win on the season and arrives in Montreal hampered by injuries will give the home side the chance to make that happen.

In this special series, titled “The Art of the Save ", Coach gets you into the mindset, mechanics, and development path of hockey’s most unique position: the goaltender. Whether you're a Montreal Canadiens fan, an NHL fan, a young goalie, or a hockey coach looking for insight, this video breaks down exactly what it takes to identify a perspective goalie. We explore the fundamentals behind goaltending—reflexes, positioning, skating, reads, discipline, and mental toughness—as well as the incredible preparation and commitment needed to play between the pipes. From NHL legends to modern stars, goalie technique has evolved, and we break down how today’s goaltenders adapt to faster shots, smarter offenses, and advanced systems. If you love the Montreal Canadiens, we will also touch on current Habs goaltending development, promising prospects, and how the position continues to shape the future of the team as this series progresses. For hockey coaches, this episode provides valuable insight into how to identify young goalies early on. Whether you’re a goalie yourself, a fan of NHL goaltending, or someone fascinated by the craft behind every save, this video is built for you. Subscribe for more Canadiens content, NHL analysis, goalie breakdowns, and PuckTalk episodes! #Habs #GoHabsGo #NHL #Hockey #IceHockey #Goaltending #CH #HockeyVLog In every episode, Kosta Papoulias takes a deep dive into the latest Montreal Canadiens news involving Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes, Martin St Louis. Dans chaque épisode, Kosta Papoulias analyse en profondeur les dernières nouvelles des Canadiens de Montréal concernant Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes et Martin St Louis. Please Click to Subscribe / Veuillez cliquer pour vous abonner: https://bit.ly/mtlhockeytalk

A hard week for the Laval Rocket continued on Friday night as they welcomed the ever feisty Belleville Senators to Place Bell for a two-game series. The Rocket endured a frustrating defeat on Wednesday night to the Syracuse Crunch, in a game where officiating seemed deadset against Laval. For Laval, they had to prepare quickly for a game that could either keep them in first place or see them slide down to fourth when the night was over. The Rocket entered what was sure to be a combative affair without Vincent Arseneau who was nursing a lower-body injury, and Florian Xhekaj had been called up to the NHL just before puck drop. Pascal Vincent shuffled his lines to try to get the most stable group he could, which started with Sean Farrell moving back up to the top line. In Farrell’s place was the recalled Riley Kidney, while the bottom six remained the same as last game. Tobie Bisson and Adam Engström made up the first pair, while Josiah Didier slotted in alongside Marc Del Gaizo on the third. In net it was Kaapo Kähkönen getting the start, with Jacob Fowler set to get the net on Saturday. The physicality was immediately present as both sides were finishing every check and grabbing an opponent in scrums after every whistle. For the Rocket however, their defensive structure continued to struggle against the Senators’ star forward Arthur Kaliyev. Kähkönen stymied him and smothered a rebound chance, but off the next draw Kaliyev muscled his way through the front of the net and lifted in Jan Jenik’s rebound to give the Senators an early lead. Despite missing many of their top options, the Rocket refused to budge on their efforts with several shifts spent deep inside the Belleville zone. While the top line was buzzing, it was again the newly constructed fourth line that got Laval on the board. Reinbacher worked the puck back to Luke Tuch who was covering the point, and with a wide open lane Tuch put a shot toward net. Cutting across the front was Will Dineen and he got his stick on the ice to lift the puck by Mads Søgaard to tie the game up. A Xavier Simoneau offensive-zone penalty put a dangerous Senators man advantage in a position to take the lead back, but a strong showing from the penalty-killers gave Belleville little to work with for two minutes. With Simoneau out of the box it was the Rocket who ended the period with a strong push, but the two rivals entered the first break tied at one goal apiece. Laval kept its foot down, testing Søgaard repeatedly inside the offensive zone. Bisson and Reinbacher both had outstanding looks, with Bisson nearly getting a shot through a net-front screen while Reinbacher’s one-timer forced a quick pad save from the Belleville goalie. Even when the Senators created their own chances, the Rocket defence and Kähkönen were there to deny them without much issue. That pressure continued and eventually it broke down the Senators’ defence enough to finally yield a second Rocket goal. Laurent Dauphin and Farrell moved through the Senators defence like a hot knife through butter, opening up a lane for Reinbacher. Farrell looked off Bisson to feed a pass to Reinbacher, and the young defenceman ripped a shot off the post and in to give Laval a well-earned lead. The lead lasted all of nine seconds as Scott Harrington scored his first of the year right off the faceoff, spoiling Laval’s momentum. Instead of slowing down, the Rocket attack went right back to work and in the process drew their first power play of the game with a chance to take their lead back. While the Rocket power play didn’t get on the board, they still managed to take the lead back in short order, again thanks to their fourth line. Didier slid a puck to Tuch, again operating near the blue line, and Tuch ripped a hard shot as he moved in to the dot, which forced Mads Søgaard into a save that also kicked the net off its moorings. Tuch, instantly protested by saying the puck was in before Søgaard had kicked it off and it should be a good goal. A lengthy review followed, where it was ruled that Tuch was indeed right and his second goal of the year made it a 3-2 contest. Tuch’s goal took away any momentum the Senators might have been hoping to get off their penalty kill, and shifted it right back to the Rocket. It was all Laval as the period came to a close. With a 15-4 shot advantage the home side was about as dominant as a team could be with a one-goal lead. With one period of regulation left, Laval had to keep their foot down and stay disciplined in a crucial division game. While the Rocket’s fourth line was turning the tide, their first line continued to put together dangerous shifts as the third period got under way. Dauphin and Alex Belzile were all over every puck on their first shift, with a rolling glove save by Søgaard being the only reason Laval was unable to increase the advantage. After that it was the defence cleaning up every attempt to counter by the Senators, with just one shot making it on net in the first eight minutes of the period. What followed was the Rocket putting on a perfect demonstration of how to close out a game without withdrawing into a shell. Every puck that they could see was fought for, grinding out the clock and never allowing the Senators a chance to set up a true sustained push for a tying goal. With just over two minutes left Belleville finally managed to pull Søgaard for an extra attacker, which resulted in a Kähkönen trying (poorly) for an empty-net goal. What followed is pure, unfortunate, unlucky hockey as a shot caught Reinbacher in the hand, knocking him out of the play. With Reinbacher down, the Senators had more than enough space to operate in, which gave Xavier Bourgault a game-tying goal with 39 seconds left,sending the game to overtime. After being denied all game, it was the Rocket top line that helped put the game away for good. Laurent Dauphin slingshotted himself into the offensive zone, dipping through two Senators and forcing a sprawling save from Søgaard. The Senators goalie did not hold on to the puck, which allowed Belzile to spin a pass out to Engström. The Rocket’s star defenceman made no mistake as he buried the shot to seal a big win for Laval. Final Score: Laval 4, Belleville 3 Laval’s win keeps them locked into first place in a highly competitive AHL North Division with the Rochester Americans having lost to the Bridgeport Islanders as well. The annual Teddy Bear Toss game and rematch with the Belleville Senators is set for Saturday at 3 PM ET. Jacob Fowler has been confirmed as the starter, while Engström promised to beat last year’s downpour of 12,000 stuffed animals.

Montreal Canadiens news and notes * It’s too early for the Canadiens to turn to Jacob Fowler to play a regular role, but there’s precedent for a goalie to get his first NHL experience at this stage of development. [La Presse] * It’s more likely that Samuel Montembeault is the .900 goaltender that he’s been the past few season than what he appears to be right now. [Montreal Gazette] * Marin St-Louis’s message in practice was that the players can’t create as many chances for the opponent as they did for Washington. [Sportsnet] * Alexandre Carrier insists the defensively lapses versus the Capitals weren’t a failing of the system Montreal plays, but the execution within it. [TVA Sports] * Noah Dobson knows his team hasn’t lost a lot of ground during this slump, but still recognizes the importance of righting the ship quickly. [La Presse] * After taking a high hit from Tom Wilson on Thursday, Jake Evans did not participate in practice yesterday. [La Presse] * David Savard is happy to take on a new project in retirement, joining his wife in spokesperson roles for the Canadiens Children’s Foundation. [La Presse] Around the league and elsewhere * Matthew Knies is back at practice, but not expected to play tonight in Montreal. [Sportsnet] * Connor Hellebuyck will undergo knee surgery and be out for four to six weeks. [NHL.com] * Calgary Flames forward Samuel Honzek will miss the remainder of the season after surgery for an upper-body injury. [NHL.com] * Flames president Don Maloney isn’t interested in seeing the team rank near the bottom of the league to get high draft picks. [Sportsnet] * Mikko Rantanen was fined for a second instance of embellishment. [NHL.com] * The OHL suspended Luke Dragusica for the remainder of the season for a vicious slash to the head of an opponent. [TSN] * Seventeen-year-old Ilia Morozov is leaping up draft boards with 11 points in his first 10 NCAA games. [NHL.com] * A celebration of life for Bernie Parent was held in Philadelphia on Friday. [NHL.com]

Get ready for a massive Saturday night showdown as the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs—both battling major injuries—prepare to clash in one of the NHL’s most iconic rivalries. In this PuckTalk Preview, we break down everything fans need to know heading into Habs vs Leafs, including lineup updates, key injuries, projected matchups, and the biggest storylines shaping this Original Six battle. We take a close look at how the injury-ravaged Maple Leafs are adjusting their roster, how the Montreal Canadiens plan to counter with their youth and speed, and which players could be X-factors on both sides. Whether you're a Habs fan, Leafs fan, or a die-hard NHL fan, this preview gives you the full picture heading into Saturday’s rivalry game. From Toronto's top line offensive players to Montreal’s questions in goal, we break down strengths, weaknesses, and the tactical choices that could decide the outcome. If you follow Montreal Canadiens news, Toronto Maple Leafs analysis, or want in-depth hockey previews, this video is for you. Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more PuckTalk coverage all season long. 0:00 - Show Start 1:14 - Projected Lineups - Habs Call-Up Florian Xhekaj 6:48 - What Should The Canadiens Lines Look Like If Florian Slots In? 8:27 - What Are The 5 Keys To Beating A Weakened Leafs' Lineup #GoHabsGo #LeafsForever #MontrealCanadiens #TorontoMapleLeafs #Habs #Leafs #NHL #HockeyFans #PuckTalk #HabsVsLeafs #NHLRivalry #CH #HockeyVLog In every episode, Kosta Papoulias takes a deep dive into the latest Montreal Canadiens news involving Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes, Martin St Louis. Dans chaque épisode, Kosta Papoulias analyse en profondeur les dernières nouvelles des Canadiens de Montréal concernant Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Joe Veleno, Jake Evans, Zach Bolduc, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Oliver Kapanen, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alex Carrier, Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes et Martin St Louis. Please Click to Subscribe / Veuillez cliquer pour vous abonner: https://bit.ly/mtlhockeytalk

The Montreal Canadiens made a personnel swap on Friday evening, recalling Florian Xhekaj from the Laval Rocket and sending down Joshua Roy. Les Canadiens ont cédé l'attaquant Joshua Roy au Rocket de Laval. L'attaquant Florian Xhekaj a été rappelé du Rocket. The Canadiens have loaned forward Joshua Roy to the Laval Rocket. Forward Florian Xhekaj has been recalled from the Rocket. pic.twitter.com/oXz68QT7vd— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 21, 2025 This is Xhekaj’s first recall into the NHL. He didn’t have the offensive start many expected of him with two goals and two assists in 16 games so far this season. However, he can contribute a lot more than just offensively, and the team will likely like to see him bring the relentlessness and compete level that he has brought consistently, similar to what Jared Davidson has brought. Xhekaj, 21, was a fourth-round pick (101st overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft. Roy has played three NHL games and has no points in those games.

Now losers of five straight, four of which have come in regulation, the Montreal Canadiens are reeling. With one more game at the Bell Centre before they embark on a tough road swing through the western United States, this streak could become interminable if they can’t figure out a way to get some key saves here and there. For the second time just during this losing streak, the Habs had to yank their starting goaltender. Also for the second time during said streak, it didn’t help. Jakub Dobes replaces Samuel Montembeault after yet another tough outing for the veteran. Capitals scored three goals on eight shots. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/4G0MsvLzNl— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 21, 2025 Samuel Montembeault allowed three goals on 10 shots, getting the hook rather early in the second period. Jakub Dobes didn’t fare any better in relief for, allowing another four goals, and not looking any better than his fellow netminder at all. The team is not without flaws outside of the crease, but goaltending has been their most persistent problem during this losing streak, and on the whole through their 20 games to date. So, let’s lay out the options they have at this juncture to address that problem, of which it seems there are four. Option one: pray that at least one of them can figure it out The option of doing nothing would likely infuriate a large portion of the fan base who are thinking about the playoffs. Conversely, it would come to the delight of those who are starting to think about firing up the tank talk. We have seen better from both netminders, but whether either of them have it in them to play their way out of this valley is unknown. Is this a coaching issue? An equipment issue? Do they need to see a sports psychologist? The organization will need to identify ways to get them right, because doing nothing from a personnel standpoint can’t mean doing literally nothing at all, and hoping they magically figure it out on their own. Alas, this option is essentially what they’re doing as of this writing, so the next three will lay out possibilities for change. Option two: trade for some help If this were an easy option to exercise, the Edmonton Oilers would have done it by now. So, while this may be a necessary option to lay out for the purpose of this article, it’s hard to see a world where the prices teams are asking for would be worth paying if Edmonton hasn’t done it yet. The second-line centre role has been a concerning problem for some time, and even that is one that the team isn’t quite at the point where they should be overpaying to address it. I can’t see a universe where Kent Hughes is selling the farm just to stop bleeding goals against. It exists as an option, but we can probably rule it out as a real solution right now. Option three: call up Kaapo Kähkönen Dobes remains waiver exempt, so he can be sent to the Laval Rocket without the risk of losing him. The most experienced goaltender in Laval right now is Kähkönen, who through six games with the Rocket is sporting a 2.35 GAA and a .919 save percentage. AHL numbers rarely translate on a straight line to the NHL, but There is somewhat of a permanent nature to such a move, however, as he would need waivers to go back to Laval. If it works, they’ll have found a stopgap solution, but if it doesn’t, they could lose him as an option permanently on the waiver wire, which could be a detriment to the success of their AHL club. Unlike an overpay trade, this option has to at least be on the table for Kent Hughes right now. Option four: call up Jacob Fowler This is somewhat of a controversial topic that will split the fan base if you bring it up. There are those who are clamouring to see Fowler get a crack at the crease, eager to see what the heir apparent to Carey Price can bring. Then there are those who feel it is far too soon, and that the club would be gambling his future by bringing him up at 20-years-old and just 21 total games of AHL experience, including playoffs. But like Kähkönen, Fowler’s services should at least be on the table. Through 10 games this season, he sports a 2.11 GAA, a .921 save percentage, and has been better than Kähkönen. If you’re operating as a pure meritocracy, Fowler is first in line. If you’re operating more with caution around his development, he has to stay where he is. Putting the team’s hopes for the season on the shoulders of a 20-year-old rookie isn’t ideal, but I would venture to guess that at bare minimum, they’ve considered it. Click the play button below to listen to your full Bottom Six Minutes, also available wherever you get your podcasts. Next up is a classic Saturday night clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre.