“We are a team, much like in Formula 1. There are a lot of us behind the scenes all working for the success of one person. The thing is, nothing we do will work if that player doesn’t put the effort in. Adam has done that since day one. Now, it’s time to reap the rewards.” For three-quarters of the year, hockey players are thrust in the limelight, their every move scrutinized by coaches, management, media, and the fans. Then the summer arrives, and everyone vanishes. While there are expectations that a player maintains some sort of summer training regimen, it’s all under the radar, with minimal input from the team and little to no visibility for the public. For Adam Engström, the summer means a return to his native Sweden and several months of intense work with one of the nation’s best athletic trainers.   It’s not easy to get to Mr. B. The man has clients in many different sports and therefore likes to stay in the background. In fact, reaching him takes up all of my banked goodwill from members of the Swedish hockey community, including Engström himself. It all pays off though, as Mr. B’s first words to me when I finally get in touch with him are, “You come very highly recommended,” to which I reply, “Likewise.” The interview is set under one condition: that the audience will not be given enough details to identify him. So dear readers, the best I can do is to assure you that Mr. B’s track record is second-to-none and his insights are worth this unusual measure. Mr. B refers to himself as an “assistant,” avoiding the term “consultant.” He doesn’t talk about the stature of his clientele nor the compensation that he receives. He sees himself as a helper, a facilitator, more than anything else. First steps Mr. B has worked with Engström since his mid-teens, after he had joined the Djurgårdens IF academy system alongside attending a hockey gymnasium in Stockholm. [In Sweden, after completing nine years of compulsory education, students can attend a gymnasium for three years (typically between the ages of 16 to 18) in order to prepare them for university, the trades, or other career pursuits. Hockey gymnasia add practices before and after a typical school day where students work on on-ice and off-ice training. Most hockey gymnasia are connected to SHL or HockeyAllsvenskan clubs. Similar schools also exist for other sports such as soccer or athletics.] “He was already practising really hard with physio early in the morning, skating at noon, and so on,” Mr. B explained. “Therefore, our focus turned largely to movement and making sure the body can do what it is supposed to handle. “The first thing we do is set up a list of demands [on the body] so that it can produce enough power to skate. On top of that, we aim to develop the mobility in specific sets of joints necessary to play 82 games plus a deep playoff run in the best league in the world. Then you need to be able to handle the lactic acid built up throughout all these games. You can’t do intervals at 45-45 [like the shifts in hockey] because then you just keep doing the same movements, and that won’t be good long-term.” Balancing speed, stamina, and bulk One of the biggest questions for most Junior players is whether they have the frame to play at the senior level. Mr. B approaches this from a different perspective. “The foundation for any sport is the heart and lungs. If we don’t work there, a player will never get better. During our first meeting with an athlete, we usually ask, ‘what do you think it takes to become one of the best athletes in the world?’ If the answer is working out five to six days a week, with some days being double days, you need a [VO2max score] over 60 to handle that. It won’t necessarily show up on the ice, but it will show up between games when it comes to recovery.” Mr. B remembers that when MMA started to become popular, wrestling became all the rage. “I had guys who wrestled for their summer training. They came into camp looking like Greek gods, but they were used to handling how lactic acid built up during wrestling, not skating. At that point, we had to start all over again.” He also prizes technique over raw power. “To get faster, you need power and explosiveness. To get that, you need agility and technique. There is no shortcut here, no easy way. You need to put the work in, and doubly so because you have to translate the motions learned in the gym to the mechanics of skating on ice.” But he casts doubt on undirected work: “How does a player get faster? Well, they go to YouTube and get told to jump. So they jump — a lot. On stairs, over hurdles, jump, jump, jump. The problem is that while everyone can jump, not everyone is strong enough to land properly. Landing is an overlooked repetitive heavy impact on the knees, the back, the butt. As lactic acid builds up from jumping, landing form progressively breaks down — knees start going inward, the back becomes round, everything bad starts happening. Once this occurs, you lose any benefit from the session.” However, that doesn’t mean that Mr. B ignores the value of bulk altogether. “We try to teach players to ‘play their weight,’” he says, explaining that players have to be comfortable in their bodies rather than aiming for specific numerical targets. “You have to trust your gut feelings. Adam is up to 90 kilograms (198 pounds) now, but you can’t tell from the way he skates — he looks so light on his skates.” There is a right way and a wrong way to build bulk, according to Mr. B: “[Without active support], a player will go to their friend, the biggest guy at the gym, or YouTube, for the quickest way to gain 10 kilograms in order to go pro. That doesn’t work.” He notes that Adam hasn’t stressed himself to reach his current weight, and he credits two things for that. The first is a woman named Monica who looks after Engström’s diet. “Everyone overemphasizes protein and fat and downplays carbohydrates, but it’s the carbs that supply energy over the long haul — that get you through a season. [Monica] gets Adam to write a food diary, and then we evaluate and grade each food. Then Monica, as the professional, helps me translate this information back to the athlete. A pro needs to work with pros.” The second is Engström’s meticulousness, because it’s not just about what one eats, but when they eat it. “You need food immediately after a practice,” Mr. B explains. “If you come home from practice and only then start to plan what you’ll eat, it’s too late. But you can’t go online and order it, so you need to plan in advance. You need good produce already at home and ready.” Being part of the Rögle BK program has apparently forced Engström to take all of these things to heart. Still, Mr. B is concerned about the North American schedule: “When players go overseas, things are fine after practices because the team provides food. But evenings at home, after games, are trickier. They also get later and later [since North American games finish later], and there are problems that come when players eat too late in the day.” So what does Mr. B plan for Engström? “In Adam’s case, to challenge his body, we use a lot of Olympic lifts — snatch and clean-and-jerk,” Mr. B explains. ”These lifts generate a lot of power, and we can see that he jumps better because of them. We also think that these complex movements, which engage different sets of joints, muscles, and the brain, make things interesting. We do them in an environment without mirrors, windows, or phones. We barely use music — the point is on mastering the technique itself without any distractions. “As Adam improves his agility and strength, then we add more weight. This strategy will be his backbone for the next 15-20 years.” Adjusting to changes in scenery Being drafted by an NHL team marks the fulfillment of a young hockey player’s journey, a single event that vindicates all of the years leading up to it. But it is also the first step of a new and chaotic journey into North American professional hockey. “It’s a messy year, in general.” Mr. B starts. “First, they go over to development camp, where they meet the organization and get evaluated on absolutely everything they do. Then some of them have to go straight to national team duties as soon as they get sent home, then immediately join their [European] club teams afterward. There’s also a pressure that comes after someone is drafted, where the thought process is that they should always be promoted to the senior team regardless of their prior history. It’s chaos. “Our intentions are to develop as good an athlete as possible, but to do it over time.” Mr. B continued. “They are only 18 years old, and are locked in for four years to an organization. Our thought process is that we want a player to take steps all through those four years, but the first summer is not an issue. The important thing is to not go backward. “Engström was lucky to be drafted by the Montreal Canadiens. Their staff focuses on hockey but also branches out to other parts of development. They understood the importance of time, so Adam and I didn’t do a lot together in that first year. Rather, we were careful and left him in a good environment with [then U20 head coach and current senior assistant coach] Max Bohlin and the Rögle BK team. For example, one time he was up in Stockholm to visit his parents, we had a chance to do some work, but we just focused on sorting out techniques as he lifted weights; we weren’t concerned with how heavy the lifts were.” How development camp complicates things The Canadiens annually hold a development camp for their prospects in July. It’s an opportunity for players to showcase themselves for management, but it’s not all sunshine and roses, especially for European prospects. “Consider this,” Mr. B begins, “You play a season with Rögle, and maybe you make the playoffs, maybe not. Maybe you join the U20s for their playoffs. Either way, you’ve tried to time your physical peak for the post-season [April/May]. Now, you have to try to hold that peak until July, or generate a new mini peak, because you’re going to go up against North American players who have been on the ice during that gap. “There’s also an immense amount of pressure. The players are showcasing their skills in unfamiliar situations: three-on-threes, four-on-fours, special teams, and so on. Then you factor in how this event might be the only time management sees a European player in person all season, as well as the presence of the media — especially in Montreal. Furthermore, you get two weeks off when you get back from North America, but then August arrives and it’s time for heavy pre-season training with your SHL team.” Team Adam In past interviews, Engström highlighted how important Bohlin was for his early development. Even today, the two still link up for individual training sessions throughout the summer. Bohlin’s player development philosophy centres on a desire to learn rather than adherence to set regimens. “I look at it from a holistic approach,” Bohlin explained. “All four aspects — mental, tactical, technical, and physical — are important. When I am able to work on all four areas, it shows that I care about the player, both on and off the ice, and that enhances the player’s development.” Mr. B concurs with Bohlin’s assessment of himself: “Max is so damn good,” he enthuses. “He is so keen to learn, and sharp enough to realize the importance of understanding. Despite being so young, he’s already grasped the importance of things beyond ‘just hockey.’ That it takes a team effort to make these players better.” Mr. B recalls one specific instance where Bohlin came up to Stockholm to learn more about what he and Engström were doing together. “Max spent three days here and he could see how the work I did here translated to on-ice stuff, how general exercises translated to hockey-specific development.”  In the same way, Mr. B adjusted his training regimen based on what Bohlin wanted from Engström. “The first thing we worked on was movement, in order to benefit [Adam’s] skating. I did that because Max was doing a lot of technical sessions in Ängelholm to push Adam to get better on the outside. We needed to do specific exercises so that Adam could perform the movements that Max wanted him to do. This didn’t start the first day after the draft, but rather was something we built up throughout that first season. “We are a team: Max, the Montreal development group and myself,” Mr. B says, but adds that “100% of the work is done by Adam. We are the tools, but without Adam we are nothing. Mr. [Rob] Ramage and Mr. [Lauri] Korpikoski, all of us want to push Adam forward — but again it’s Adam’s work ethic and his willingness to learn that is the key. “It helps that Adam is extremely interested and curious, that he asks and he wants to understand, ‘Why?’ Mr. B highlights one specific conversation between Engström and Ramage. “One of the key things that Adam really took to heart was when we were in Ängelholm with Mr. Ramage and he said ‘defence starts with a D, if you don’t like it, you have to start thinking about doing something else. You have to become a defensive player.’ It was important for Adam to have the stamina to work hard defensively — to be on the right side, shift after shift, and maintain the mental clarity to make a great pass out of his own zone and go for a change.” Ultimately, as Mr. B has repeatedly said, it all comes down to the player. “Grit is necessary to be there at eight every morning. My job is to harness that grit and make sure they channel it correctly.” In this case, Engström is a special individual. Not only has he shown a willingness to sacrifice, he has also displayed a great deal of patience. “Adam has been great,” Mr. B explains. “He has made slow and steady progress over time. He has been engaged, he has been curious, and he has never taken his eyes off his goal of being an NHL player.” Mr. B downplays his own importance in Engström’s progress. “I am just the wall that Adam bounces ideas off of. If everything is good, then we don’t change anything.” However, a member of the Canadiens’ staff summed up the role he plays in the development story. “Mr. B doesn’t build hockey players. He builds athletes that can play hockey.” --- As usual there are a lot of people to thank for their help in writing this article, some of whom can’t be named because they want anonymity, but I really want to thank Nathan Ni for his invaluable help with editing and being someone to bounce questions off.

Montreal Canadians news and notes * On the hunt to address their depth down the middle, the Habs have their eye on Nashville Predators’ Ryan O’Reilly. [TSN] * Adam Engström’s call up has sparked curiosity throughout the NHL. [Journal de Montreal] * The Vancouver Canucks are open to talking with Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes about their impending UFAs. [NY Times] * After making his NHL debut on Saturday, Florian Xhekaj is already starting to feel more at ease with the club. [Journal de Montreal] * Alex Belzile comes back to the Laval Rocket after two years, with his NHL dream very much intact. [Montreal Gazette] * Montreal Victoire fans are fired up as the third season kicks off with some new faces. [CBC] * Victoire’s Abby Roque’s highlight-reel goal has everyone talking. [TSN] * In a single year, the Canadiens added $300 million to their price tag. [Journal de Montreal] Around the league and elsewhere * USA Hockey’s new Milan 2026 jerseys honour the first U.S. squad to win gold. [Sportsnet] * Former Edmonton Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk weighs in on how much time Stuart Skinner has left. [Edmonton Journal] * Canada hasn’t had this much Olympic-calibre talent in years, even though it’s Canadian NHL teams are floundering. [Toronto Sun] * Florida Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk has started skating on his own, but is still “a ways away” from returning to action. [NHL] * Defencemen and goaltenders who should head to the Olympics to represent Team Canada. [Sportsnet] * Canadian players who were snubbed for the 4 Nations but could be contenders for the Olympics. [Sportsnet]

The Montreal Canadiens pulled off a CRAZY 4-3 win in Utah, and this video breaks down every moment Habs and NHL fans need to know! In this recap, we dive into how the Canadiens battled the Utah Mammoth in a fast, physical, back-and-forth showdown that had Montreal Canadiens fans, NHL fans, and hockey fans buzzing from start to finish. From clutch scoring, key defensive plays, standout performances, and late-game intensity, this Canadiens vs. Mammoth matchup delivered everything you’d want in a high-energy NHL thriller. Whether you’re a dedicated Montreal Canadiens supporter or a Utah Mammoth fan curious about how this game slipped away, this breakdown covers all the turning points—special teams impact, line combinations, goalie moments, and the big plays that sealed the 4-3 Canadiens victory. With the Habs fighting to build momentum this season, this road win in Utah could be a major confidence boost. If you love Montreal Canadiens analysis, NHL game reactions, hockey breakdowns, or Utah Mammoth highlights, this is the video for you. Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Canadiens content, NHL reactions, and game-by-game analysis all season long! 0:00 - PuckTalk MTL Post-Game 1:18 - Game Highlights - Suzuki's 1st Goal Was His 400th Career Point 7:25 - Game Analysis - Mistakes A Plenty, But Redemption Between The Pipes #GoHabsGo #MontrealCanadiens #UtahMammoth #Habs #NHL #HockeyFans #PuckTalk #HabsNation #NHLFans #CanadiensPostGame #HabsWin #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 * The teams are playing with a lot of energy, but not a lot of purpose early. Trading possession with no real attack. * Josh Anderson gets the first shot of the game about four minutes in by using his speed to back off the defence before cutting into the middle for a shot. * The line of Florian Xhekaj, Jake Evans, and Anderson gets a hard forecheck going and forces goaltender Karel Vejmelka to pounce on the puck and get a whistle. * Maybe St-Louis recognized that that is the line going the best, because he has the whiteboard out drawing up some strategy for it. * The Mammoth get some good pressure, but that all comes to an end when Jack McBain trips up Lane Hutson after falling down. * Hutson got a good shot off from the top of the circles, but not with enough velocity to solve Vejmelka. * An excellent zone entry from Cole Caufield catches the Mammoth sleeping as the expect a drop-pass (Montreal is starting to do that more often), and a quick hand-off allows Hutson to walk in, but his pass across to Caufield doesn’t work. * Now Ivan Demidov drives down the middle of the ice to draw a hooking call. There will be 53 seconds of five-on-three time. * Suzuki is really struggling to play the puck. * But the captain has the strength to push the puck back to the point. Hutson swings it over to Zachary Bolduc, and that shot is powerful to beat Vejmela for the 1-0 lead. * Some good work from Florian to come back and support his defence, actually being the one to collect the puck in the defensive zone. He then fights through a check on the rush and sets up Adam Engström’s first NHL shot before ending the shift with a face-wash. * Now Florian goes right at his man with a chest-high puck coming his way, and forces a whistle for a drop-pass. He is an NHL player, and so far I see no reason to send him down. * Bolduc is lucky to get away with a poor pass in his own zone, but the puck come right back to him so he can lead the breakout. The puck goes to Caufield than across to Suzuki for a one-timer and the 2-0 goal. * That was Suzuki’s 400th NHL point. * Utah gets a chance to get back in the game with Mike Matheson sent off for tripping. That call probably doesn’t get made if Montreal hadn’t had a five-on-three. * An aggressive kill keeps Utah to the outside, and the Habs take a 2-0 lead into the dressing room after a good period. Second period * Hutson is everywhere in this game, and he really wants a goal. * Montreal is holding the puck in Utah’s zone. This is the way to fix your second-period issues. * Hutson begins a breakout and if not for a great save by Vejmelka, Bolduc would have had a second goal in this game. * Xhekaj is the latest player to get a shot, but he didn’t have enough room to fully pull the puck to his forehand and could only flick the puck. Still, it’s an offensive-zone faceoff earned by the third line. * Despite the flow of play, Alexandre Carrier flips the puck over the glass into the penalty box, and he will now trade places with it. * And that allows Utah to gets its first goal. Barrett Hayton is left unmarked as Josh Anderson wanders too far from his station. * I don’t know what changes this year, but teams are going after Suzuki a lot more. * With the goal, momentum has shifted to Utah. * And the game is tied. * Make that 3-2 for the Mammoth. * Michael Carcone burned Joe Veleno behind the net, and Dobeš looked the wrong way for the rebound. * A scrum ensues after the goal, and Jared Davidson ends up with an extra minor to put the Mammoth back on the power play. * Montreal’s penalty-killers were forced to defend for a full two-minute shift, but the survive. * It was a great start to the period. I think Utah had two shots on the board when Carrier took his penalty at 9:07. Then it was a terrible finish as the Mammoth registered 11 more shots, and three goals. Third period * An early power play will give Montreal a chance to tie the game. * And they do, with Juraj Slafkovský on the top unit to pound in a one-timer. * The Mammoth are looking for offside on the entry. They think they have enough for a challenge. * They do. No goal as Slafkovský was inside the line waiting for the puck to cross it. They will have to do it again. * Bolduc fires a shot off the post, but it bounces across right to Suzuki, who scores his second goal of he game. * It’s a three-point game for Bolduc, the first of his career. * Demidov likes to wait until the final second as he’s about to be hit before swinging around to send the puck across the ice. I fear he’s going to get hurt doing that at some point. * But, he didn’t get hurt that time, and instead ended the shift by beating Vejmelka from range to put the Habs back in the lead. * Clayton Keller blasts the puck off the post on a delayed penalty. Now two important minutes for the penalty kill. * Dylan Guenther gets his stick between Dobeš’s legs and twists him down. Somehow that’s not enough to bring Utah’s power play to an end. * Play is very scrambly coming out of the kill. Montreal gets a two-on-one that delays into a four-on-three, then Utah goes the other way through some desperate coverage to test Dobeš twice. * You can be sure Martin St-Louis is preaching calm in this TV timeout. * The Canadiens have iced the puck four times with Vejmelka on the bench, but they’re hanging on. * Nick Suzuki sends the puck down the ice. It hits the post and bounces straight back, but the linesman is in the habit of calling icings and blows it down. That faceoff will go to centre ice. * Another icing leaves 3.8 seconds on the clock. * Time expires. Montreal wins back-to-back games, and at least temporarily moves into the Atlantic’s third seed with the Senators still playing. * Next is a tough back-to-back in Las Vegas and then Colorado. It will be interesting to see how St-Louis deploys his goalies for the games. EOTP 3 Stars 3) And count it did 2) We’re not quite at that level, but an impressive effort from them tonight 1) Saved by the bell

Game 22: Montreal Canadiens @ Utah Mammoth Start time: **9:30 PM EST / 6:30 PM PST** In the Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French) In the Mammoth region: Utah16 Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, TSN+ Martin St-Louis said following Adam Engström’s recall from the Laval Rocket that he didn’t know if the defenceman would see his first NHL action on the trip, but for the second consecutive game we will see a rookie take his first lap in the big leagues. With Florian Xhekaj still in after recording a point in his debut, the Canadiens will have six rookies in the lineup to face the Utah Mammoth. It did make sense for this to be the first game Engström played with the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche waiting for a back-to-back to end the week. Montreal already knows what to expect from a Mammoth team they just played on November 8, and Engström might be able to get away with an error or two. Utah has played well at home this year, winning seven of 10 games played in Salt Lake City, allowing just 2.50 goals per game in their own building and killing off 85.7% of penalties. It will take a team effort like the one Montreal got back to on Saturday night to break down the Mammoth defence and maintain the offence that has steadily risen over the last four games. 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 ##42 Adam Engström #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: Arber Xhekaj Injured: Kirby Dach, Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook Utah Mammoth 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 Clayton Keller Barrett Hayton Nick Schmaltz Kailer Yamamoto Logan Cooley Dylan Guenther J.J. Peterka Jack McBain Lawson Crouse Brandon Tanev Kevin Stenlund Michael Carcone .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 Mikhail Sergachev Nick DeSimone Nate Schmidt John Marino Ian Cole Sean Durzi .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 Karel Vejmelka Vitek Vanecek

Will Shoukri and Patrik Bexell get a new podcast adventure started as they take a look at the Laval Rocket’s biggest prospects so far this season. Starting with David Reinbacher, who has gotten back into the grove that got him drafted by the Canadiens. He is a staple in the defensive end but has also gotten on the score sheet more than last year. Things are really looking swell for the Austrian defender, even if he will sit out the Olympics (Yes, William!). The discussion then shifts towards another improving player Filip Mešár who has gone from being a bit of a floater to clearly attacking defenders in the neutral zone and forcing his way into the offensive zone. It’s a step up from what was expected from him at the day of the draft. The biggest question so far has been Owen Beck, who seems to have lost his confidence in his offence. He generates offence, he is getting high danger chances but in the end they don’t go in and he seems to have lost a bit of trust in himself. Florian Xhekaj has joined the Canadiens and the question really is if he stays up all season long. That is the main thing to take away from his debut and the problems that the Canadiens has in the line up at them moment. Jacob Fowler has started the season great and the fact that he has the chance to continue his development in Laval is something that will benefit the Canadiens long term. Nothing seems to unsettle the goalie, who will just get back and do his job of saving pucks. While his win-loss record is 7-4, his individual stats are really good (2.1 GAA and a .914) for a first year player. Another player that will get the chance to play NHL is Adam Engström, and while he is expected to go back down to Laval, it is important for both Adam and management to see how he can be used and what he needs to improve upon for his future development. Some people have questioned his physicality, but he is mean as has been seen in the playoffs both in SHL and in the AHL. He might not get into the big physical hits, or the fights, but he is mean and loves to play in the playoffs. ---

Game 22: Montreal Canadiens @ Utah Mammoth Start time: **9:30 PM EST / 6:30 PM PST** In the Canadiens region: TSN2 (English), RDS (French) In the Mammoth region: Utah16 Streaming: ESPN+, RDS, TSN+ The Montreal Canadiens are no stranger to going on long tours in the United States during holidays with their annual Christmas trip through Florida. This year, they’ve headed off to play some Western Conference teams in the week the U.S. celebrates Thanksgiving. There will be a back-to-back of afternoon games at the end of the week, but first they’ll kick off the three-game trip with a later match versus the Utah Mammoth. Montreal’s first trip west this season was a successful one, going 3-1 versus the northern half of the Pacific Division. Tonight will be the second time the Canadiens play at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, earning a win during a red-hot run in January. We can’t use that adjective to describe them right now after just going through a stretch of five games without a win, but they managed to beat the uninterested Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night to bank a little bit of confidence for the road. 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 Mammoth 11-7-3 Record 12-8-3 50.3% (12th) Expected-goal share 53.1% (6th) 3.43 (4th) Goals per game 3.09 (15th) 3.52 (27th) Goals against per game 2.96 (16th) 21.0% (14th) PP% 13.8% (30th) 76.4% (23rd) PK% 84.1% (6th) 1-0-0 Head-to-Head Record 0-1-0 Cole Caufield (13) Most goals Logan Cooley (13) Nick Suzuki (18) Most assists Nick Schmaltz (12) Nick Suzuki (23) Most points Nick Schmaltz (22) Utah has had a similar run to Montreal this year, piling up wins early in the season (they held an 8-2 record thanks to a seven-game winning streak) then struggling to add to them over the next few weeks. They had gone a stretch of 11 games from October 28 to November 20 winning just two games, but have managed to win their last two contests to hang on to a wild-card spot. The parallels don’t just end at the team level. In previewing the first game a comparison was made between Nick Suzuki and Nick Schmaltz. Neither player was going a game without recording a point in the opening month of the season. Now Suzuki, clearly hampered by an issue that’s negatively impacting his offensive play, has four points in his last eight games, while Schmaltz enters this evening’s contest with one assist in his last six matches. Though Schmaltz is dealing with a four-game point drought, it was raining hats on Logan Cooley on Monday night when he scored four times and added an assist to factor in on every goal in a 5-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. With that performance, he’s now just one point from tying Schmaltz for the team point lead. The task of icing Cooley will fall to Jakub Dobeš, confirmed as the starter after he was the one to end the losing streak on Saturday in Montreal. The Maple Leafs were very kind to Dobeš that night as their shots were fired mostly from the perimeter to allow for easy saves. That’s not going to be the case tonight from a Mammoth team that ranks in the top 10 for creating high-danger chances at five-on-five. This is a clash between teams that rank seventh and eighth in full-strength offence per game this year, and the better goaltender could be the difference.

Abby Roque had three points, including a highlight-reel between-the-legs goal, as the Montreal Victoire earned their first win of the season, 4-0, over the New York Sirens on Tuesday night at Place Bell. Roque, acquired at the PWHL Draft from New York was playing her first home game in Montreal as well as her first game against her former team. It was Roque’s sixth career multi-point game in the PWHL. “I actually don’t think I’ve ever tried that in a game or practiced it,” Roque said. “I don’t know why I decided that was the moment. Honestly, I was doing it, and I was like, ‘This is stupid.’ And then it went in. So I got lucky.” “We’re able to use Abby in a lot of different situations,” said Montreal head coach Kori Cheverie. “The fact that her and Pou (Marie-Philip Poulin) kind of switch off at the centre position, depending on who’s winning against certain centres, is really helpful too. Her goal was outstanding, just to create something with the limited space that she had, but that’s the type of player that she is. She’s very cerebral. She’s got a very high IQ, and she’s constantly thinking about the game and strategizing, and she’s the one pulling people in to talk about different ways to handle certain situations. And I thought she did really well on the kill as well. For us to keep adding power play players, but also killers, is really helpful for our overall game.”  Ann-Renée Desbiens made 33 saves for her second career shutout, and first since the inaugural 2024 season. Laura Stacey added two assists, while Marie-Philip Poulin – the third member of the line – had a goal and an assist herself. Montreal came out with a much stronger start than in their opening game, opening an 8-1 edge in shots and getting the better scoring chances. New York’s best scoring chance came midway through the period when a loose puck made its way towards the empty side of the net but Desbiens stretched out her left pad to keep the puck out. Laura Stacey appeared to score the game’s first goal at the 12:38 mark, but the official behind the net instantly ruled no goal for a kicking motion. After review by the PWHL’s Central Situation room, the call on the ice stood. Both teams had power plays in the first period, but were unable to score. Montreal took advantage of a carry-over power play early in the second period. Thirty seconds into the period, Erin Ambrose’s shot was tipped by rookie Natálie Mlýnková, who scored her first career PWHL goal. She was the fourth forward on the first power play unit, joining the top line of Stacey, Poulin, and Roque. The goal was originally credited to Ambrose, but changed to Mlýnková. “I didn’t know,” she said. “I actually didn’t even know they announced it later on until people started telling me. I had no idea [I touched the puck]. I think sometimes those things happen too fast.” A few minutes later, after several Desbiens saves, New York had a goal disallowed of their own also for a kicking motion. Kayla Vespa was the one who seemed to put the puck in, but the score remained 1-0. It would stay that way until 1:15 remaining in the period. Roque sprung Stacey, who was joined on a two-on-one with Poulin. Stacey found her wife with the pass, and although Osborne got across, Poulin was able to sneak the puck past her. Roque’s between-the-legs goal gave Montreal a 3-0 lead at 13:26 of the third period, and Maggie Flaherty added an empty netter with 10 seconds remaining to give Montreal a 4-0 lead. Notes * Kristin O’Neill, the player Montreal traded to acquire Roque was given a tribute video and saluted the crowd in the first period of Tuesday’s game. * Montreal now has 12 days off before hosting the Toronto Sceptres on December 7. Full Highlights

Montreal Canadiens news and notes * It’s back to work on Monday for Simona and Jack Xhekaj after a storybook Saturday. [Montreal Gazette] * Montreal is not done trying to improve their roster. [RG.org] * The Habs have options when it comes to the goaltending. [The Hockey Writers] * It’s been an impressive start for Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov. [La Presse] * Juraj Slafkovsky looks better than ever since moving to the Canadiens’ second line. [A Winning Habit] * Martin St-Louis wants to see intensity as the Habs head out west. [Radio-Canada] * Alexandre Carrier, just a good kid from the South Shore. [Journal de Montreal] * Who is Alexandre Texier? [RDS] Around the league and elsewhere * Grades for all 32 NHL teams at the quarter mark of 2025-26. [ESPN] * Can the Nashville Predators turn their season around? [ESPN] * The Predators are not considering a coaching change. [TSN] * Milan Lucic has been released from his professional tryout with the St. Louis Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. [Sportsnet] * A rough start for the Vancouver Canucks jeopardizes their plans to keep Quinn Hughes in the fold. [Sportsnet] * The Canucks are apparently willing to sell their pending UFAs. [TSN] * “The glass is half full not half empty”, according to Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube. [TSN] * The Dallas Stars have unveiled their new 3rd jersey. [Daily Faceoff] * Alexandar Georgiev signs a two-year deal with the KHL’s Spartak Moscow. [Daily Faceoff] * Clean breakouts and defensive-zone exits often lead to success, explains Dan Bylsma. [NHL.com]

Welcome back to PuckTalk MTL, your home for in-depth Montreal Canadiens analysis, game previews, and NHL breakdowns! In today’s episode, Coach looks into a massive matchup as the Montreal Canadiens begin their Western road trip with a showdown against the Utah Mammoth. Habs fans, NHL fans, hockey fans, and Mammoth supporters will all find something to get excited about as we look at key storylines heading into this crucial game. We break down the Canadiens’ recent performances, lineup expectations, projected forward lines, defensive pairings, and how the team plans to handle Utah’s speed and offensive pressure. With young stars stepping up and veterans looking to lead the way, this Western swing could define the Habs’ momentum for the coming weeks. We also examine the Mammoth’s strengths, recent trends, and players the Canadiens must contain to start this road trip strong. Whether you're a dedicated Montreal Canadiens fan, a passionate NHL follower, or an excited Utah Mammoth supporter, this preview delivers insights, analysis, and everything you need to know before puck drop. 🔥 Make sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Habs previews, NHL analysis, and PuckTalk coverage! 0:00 - Show Start 0:27 - Bolduc Not Working On The 1st Line. If Not Slaf, Then Who? 4:08 - Lineup Preview - Habs Vs. Mammoth 7:44 - 5 Keys To A Canandien Victory Over Utah #GoHabsGo #MontrealCanadiens #UtahMammoth #Habs #NHL #HockeyFans #PuckTalk #HabsNation #NHLFans #CanadiensPreview#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 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.