Author: Dose

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David Reinbacher: what if Montreal finally started to see what it can become?

There comes a time when a prospect ceases to be just a name in a pipeline and becomes a real possibility for the organization. For the past few weeks, this is exactly what has been happening with David Reinbacher. The young defenseman is no longer just developing in Laval; he’s starting to look like he’s getting ready to take the next step.

Drafted fifth overall in 2023, Reinbacher had been touted as a long-term investment, the type of right-handed defenseman every team is looking for, but one that takes time. This development was significantly slowed when he suffered a knee injury, which delayed his progress and his adaptation to the North American game.

Despite this setback, his trajectory has stabilized: 11 games two years ago, 10 last year, then this season, he’s already up to 12 games, with a growing load of responsibility and clearly visible confidence.

With his assist on Del Gaizo’s goal in today’s Rocket ;a Hershey game, Reinbacher now brings his total to 9 points in 12 games this season. He’s also on an excellent run: six points in his last four games.

And tonight, in the Rocket’s 4-3 win over Hershey, he again found a way to contribute. Nothing spectacular, just efficient, thoughtful, consistent hockey. It’s those kinds of details that add up and tell a story. Reinbacher no longer suffers the rhythm, he manages it. Nine points in twelve games. Regular production. A more assertive game. We’re no longer talking about a youngster trying to keep up, but a player who is beginning to fully master his current level.

And when a player masters his level, the question becomes: what does that mean for him?

For Reinbacher, an eventual recall to the Canadiens wouldn’t be a reward or a symbolic gesture. It would be a structured test, a first real assessment of where he stands in the club’s development plan. A recall would mean several specific things.

First, that the organization considers him worthy of a first NHL sample, not just an emergency game. Montreal would want to see if he can play calmly under pressure, make a simple decision when the structure collapses, and if he can carry the same kind of presence as he did in Laval. We wouldn’t ask him to be dominant, just reliable.

Secondly, a recall would mean that Montreal begins to assess the reality of the future, not just the potential.

A recall would also be an important psychological step for him. For a young defenseman, entering the NHL, even for 6 to 10 games, changes your perspective. You discover real speed, execution and the punishment associated with bad decisions. This is often where the gap between ready and able becomes apparent. And sometimes, that kind of test accelerates progress faster than 40 more games in the AHL.

This recall would also send a clear message: he’s now in the conversation. Not for tomorrow morning, not for a 22-minute role, but for a trajectory towards the main team.

And for Montreal? It would represent a transition to the next phase of reconstruction.

What makes all this interesting is that we’re not talking about a player who forces his way in with extravagant statistics, but a defender who gains ground with consistency and maturity. He doesn’t force anything. He plays his part, and his part has value.

Reinbacher hasn’t yet earned his place in the NHL, but he’s getting closer with every game. If he keeps progressing like this, the Canadiens will sooner or later have to offer him that first real audition. And at the rate he’s progressing, this discussion is no longer hypothetical, but soon on the calendar.

overtime

– Incredible at 18!

– Macklin Celebrini is excellent. [TVA Sports]

– Not ideal.

– We’ll see how it goes.

– Not an easy decision.

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Alexandre Carrier in the stands: he can’t be above the call of duty

Some potential decisions are disturbing, not because they’re shocking, but because they upset a status quo we took for granted. Alexandre Carrier is one of those players you’d never think you’d see in the stands… until the day reality hits: nobody is untouchable. Especially not in a National League where results dictate hierarchies.

In recent weeks, Carrier’s name has come up in discussions not for his performances, but for what he’s not doing.

At the moment, we’re wondering whether we shouldn’t take advantage of Adam Engstrom’s presence in town to give Alexandre Carrier a turn for a game. If Jayden Struble is healthy, the Canadiens have seven options at the blue line.

Being sidelined is rarely a trivial matter, even less so for an established defenseman who has already seen significant responsibility on a third pairing, sometimes even in a second pairing role when depth was lacking.

The facts are stark and quantified. On X, the @HabsOnReddit account didn’t mince its words. It says that Carrier was on the ice for a team-high five goals allowed at five-on-five during the recent three-game trip away.

A statistic that sums up the current spiral: when he’s in the heat of the action, it too often turns in the opponent’s favor.

So, is this idea a message? A punishment? A strategic analysis? A bit of all three.

Because in the modern NHL, team identity is less and less about loyalty and more and more about logic. If someone plays better than you, if someone fits your style better, if someone makes fewer bad decisions with the puck… he has to play. Point.

Carrier, at his best, is reliable. Not spectacular, not transformative, not dominant: just reliable. A defenseman who plays simple, who closes space, who blocks shots, who can stabilize defensive depth. There’s a place for that kind of player… but only if his game remains consistent. And that’s where the problem lies.

There’s a slight drop-off. Not a collapse, but enough of a gap to open a door. A young defender pushing forward. A veteran finding his rhythm. A coach who wants more transition, more offensive rebound, more clean first pass.

And the popular assessment doesn’t stop there. Alex Carrier is playing like a shadow of his former self this year. Impossible to recognize him compared to last season.

At some point, the chair is no longer reserved.

And this is where the story gets interesting: it’s not a condemnation, it’s an opportunity. An opportunity for Carrier to question himself, to adjust his game, to once again become an essential piece rather than an interchangeable choice.

The mere fact of being in such discussions makes you feel that the tide has turned.

He’s in that uncomfortable zone where every presence, every turn, every one-on-one duel becomes an audition. The margin for error is shrinking. The urgency grows.

But this isn’t the first time he’s experienced this kind of turbulence. His career has been built on resilience. On proving that he deserves not just a place, but a role. We sometimes forget that it’s often these players, not the stars, who constantly have to fight to keep their seat in the league.

So the question isn’t: Why should Carrier be left out? The real question is: What will he do with it?

Because there are two possible reactions. Take offense, close up, wait for an injury or defeat to reappear, or use this wake-up call as fuel.

And if his track record is anything to go by, his response is likely to be the latter.

In this context, the team wins too. Internal competition creates movement, prevents self-piloting and forces each player to earn his or her place. You don’t build a winning culture with immobile certainties, but with a mentality where nobody is above the possibility of being replaced.

So yes, raising the idea of seeing Alexandre Carrier in the stands may come as a surprise. But maybe it’s exactly what was needed. Because a player with nothing left to lose sometimes becomes the most dangerous.

overtime

– Phew… it got hot!

– Where does Vegas really stand right now?

– A career that continues to speak for itself.

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Busy schedule: The Canadiens’ biggest test of the season is coming up

December is just around the corner, and for the Canadiens, it’s not just a calendar, it’s a litmus test. We’re talking about a demanding sequence, a real test of maturity, the kind of sequence that can change a season for better or for worse.

The Habs will play four back-to-back games in two days, with a first doubleheader to open the month against the Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets. Two games in quick succession, over and over again, with no real time to breathe, heal or analyze. Teams that survive at this pace are those that are structured, deep, disciplined and mature. That’s what the Habs will have to prove.

Here’s what the schedule looks like:

Calendrier CH décembre 2025
(Credit: NHL.com screenshot)

And as if that weren’t enough, the opposition won’t be gentle. We’re talking about good teams, like the Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning, where every little mistake or lack of attention can be decisive.

Add to that an even more significant element. Six games against teams in the same division as the Canadiens – the Atlantic Division – over the course of the month. With the standings so tight right now, home games don’t just count in the standings, they double in value. You win, you go up. Lose and you go down. A close 3-2 win over a Western team is nothing like a loss to a direct rival.

These are games that exude urgency, rivalry and tension. And when they pile up in an already compressed schedule, physical and mental fatigue can quickly become the primary adversary.

This month will answer many of the questions staff may have.

We’ll see whether the Canadiens have real depth or just names, and whether Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes can keep goal effectively. We’ll also see if the first and second lines can drag the team offensively, but especially if the third and fourth lines can keep up. The most important thing, in my opinion, is to see who takes their game up a notch and who steps aside.

December will be revealing for the Habs. If they survive this sequence with a positive record, they’ll be in a very good position in the standings. One month can turn a season on its head, and this month has no intention of going easy on the Montreal club.

The Habs are entering their real exam, and it’s up to them to pass or fail.

overtime

– The goals by Cutter Gauthier and Olen Zellweger are the two fastest early goals in Ducks history.

– Troy Terry is having quite a start to the season.

– The Capitals are on a four-game winning streak and seven wins in eight games.

– Logan Cooley suffers a thigh contusion.

– Ottawa Charge head practice coach Carla MacLeod has breast cancer.

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Ivan Demidov needs to play more

Since the start of the season, Ivan Demidov has been playing like a guy who wants to force everyone’s hand. And frankly, he’s succeeding… despite one frankly incomprehensible detail. He spends less time on the ice than many other rookie forwards in the league. Less time, but more points.

You can spin it any way you want, but the facts always come out as strong as a powerful shot in the logo. The young Russian leads the NHL rookies with 19 points in 24 games. Meanwhile, several other first-year players, some much older and some less explosive, are getting more ice time. They get the minutes. He gets the production.

And that’s the problem. How do you explain that such a productive player averages only 14 minutes and 20 seconds per game? It just doesn’t make sense.

Here’s a list of all the players he surpasses with less ice time:

Ivan Demidov is not a prospect to be quietly “tested”. He’s not a long-term project to be simmered in the back of the kitchen. He’s a forward. He’s a player who creates something every time he touches the puck. And above all, he’s a player who converts his opportunities, even when he’s given fewer of them than others.

We’re talking about a top 5 draft pick, a phenom who already dominated the KHL before he was of legal drinking age in the U.S., and a youngster who made his impact felt in Montreal the second his skates grazed the Bell Centre rink for the first time. Nothing indicates that he should be “restricted”. Everything indicates that he deserves to be released.

In reality, the situation is becoming difficult for the coaching staff to defend. If a player performs better than everyone else in his cohort (except Macklin Celebrini), but receives less responsibility than them, there’s an imbalance. And that imbalance costs scoring chances and offensive rhythm.

If the Canadiens need goals, creativity or simply a spark, it’s simple: give Demidov more playing time. He’s already providing that in good quantity, even with limited ice time. Just imagine what he could do with two more minutes per game. Then four.

He’s proven he’s already a key player. It’s time to give him a starring role.

overtime

– Logan Thompson is sensational again against the New York Islanders.

– Flyers place Adam Ginning in waivers.

– Adam Fox will be unavailable for several weeks, but should be fit to participate in the Olympic Games.

– Lionel Messi breaks the record for most assists in the history of soccer with 405.

– Tom Wilson surpassed T.J. Oshie and Dave Christian for the eighth most goals in franchise history with 194.

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A grade (A to E) for all Habs players this season

The Canadiens have played 24 games so far this season.

Some players are performing up to expectations, others less so… So I thought it might be nice to give a grade to each of the Canadiens guys who have played more than 15 games so far in 25-26.

Maybe there’ll be some surprises…

Players will be given a grade (A, B, C, D or E). To me, this is what it means:

  • A = Excellent
  • B = Good
  • C = Fair
  • D = Not good enough
  • E = Atrocious

Having said that… we can start with the team’s forwards. A short description will be attached to the player’s name to explain my point of view. Let’s go!

Nick Suzuki (28 points, including seven goals, in 24 games) = A (+)

The captain has been doing his job since the start of the season. He’s playing the right way, and even though he’s had a rougher time of it lately, it would be a little ridiculous to criticize his work and commitment.

Without him, the top line wouldn’t roll… and you’ve got to give him credit.

Cole Caufield (26 points, including 14 goals, in 24 games) = A

Cole Caufield is really having a great campaign. He’s using his shot to score goals, and he deserves a lot of credit. The Canadiens’ #13 is doing everything he can to earn a spot on the U.S. team for the next Olympics… and he’s proving he’s one of the best snipers in the National League.

Ivan Demidov (19 points, including six goals, in 24 games) = A (-)

We expected Ivan Demidov to be good. But… maybe we didn’t expect him to be so good in his first full season in the National League.

This kid ‘s talent is incredible. And we can see it, because he’s been riding at a really interesting pace since the start of the campaign. He’s got a chance of winning the Calder… and that’s no mean feat either.

Juraj Slafkovsky (13 points, including seven goals, in 24 games) = B (-)

I was one of those who criticized Juraj Slafkovsky’s start to the season. Expectations are high and he’s not necessarily producing the way everyone would have liked.

But things have been going relatively well for Slaf recently. When you see him using his physicality to create things on the ice, he’s effective… and that’s what he’s been doing since he was “relegated” to the team’s second unit.

I’d like to see more, though.

Oliver Kapanen (13 points, including seven goals, in 24 games) = B

Nobody (or almost nobody) saw Oliver Kapanen playing at the center of the team’s second line at the quarter of the season. That’s what’s happening now… because Dach and Newhook are injured.

But without making too much noise, the Finn is having a great season all the same. He’s showing that he has the potential to be a good NHL player for years to come.

Zachary Bolduc (12 points, including six goals, in 24 games) = C

Zachary Bolduc needs to find a way to be more consistent. He’s great when the team plays away… but it’s harder at the Bell Centre.

I’d like to see him use his shot more often, because he’s got a (very) good one. But when he hits the opposition like that, it helps the Canadiens be stronger, and that’s a good thing :

Brendan Gallagher (10 points, including a goal, in 24 games) = D

We love good old Gally… But, whew.

It’s been tough since the start of the season. He looks tired, he doesn’t have the same energy and it seems he’s not the same player he used to be either. But he still gives it his all every night, and that’s why I’m giving him a D instead of an E.

Jake Evans (eight points, including four goals, in 24 games) = C

Jake Evans plays an important role on the power play and is good at it. He’s able to help the Canadiens kill penalties, and that’s an important aspect to consider.

On the other hand, I’d like to see him be more effective offensively. But it’s hard for me to complain about a guy who’s always giving it his all and who’s capable of making a difference on the ice…

Josh Anderson (eight points, including five goals, in 24 games) = D

When Josh Anderson plays like a horse, damn if he can be good.

But here’s the problem: his effort level isn’t consistent all the time, and that bothers me. He knows what to do to be really effective on the ice… but you don’t see him all the time every night.

He’d get a better mark if he were more consistent.

Alex Newhook (12 points, including six goals, in 17 games) = A (-)

It’s a shame. Alex Newhook got hurt… just as he was having the best season of his career.

He was producing offensively and had become really important for the Canadiens in the power play, too, because he was using his speed in the right way. I would have been curious to see how he would have performed, had he not been injured.

But for what he gave before getting hurt… he deserves an excellent grade.

Now, for the defensemen…

Lane Hutson (20 points, including four goals, in 24 games) = A (-)

Lane Hutson continues to be really good in his second season in the National League.

He’s racking up points at a good pace and continues to solidify his game defensively. At his age, it’s hard to ask for more from a small defenseman like him, who often finds a way to be useful on the ice.

Noah Dobson (16 points, including three goals, in 24 games) = A

In addition to producing offensively, Noah Dobson plays an important role defensively. He’s calm with the puck, he (very) often makes the right decisions on the ice… and that’s got his name circulating for Team Canada for the next Olympics.

You can see why the Habs went to Long Island to get him. And so far, it’s a really good deal for the Canadiens.

Mike Matheson (15 points, including four goals, in 24 games) = A (+)

Mike Matheson has been the Canadiens’ most important defenseman so far this campaign. He does everything the right way, which explains why he averages almost 25 minutes per game.

He brings leadership to the dressing room, too. The Québécois is indispensable to Martin St-Louis’ lineup right now.

Alexandre Carrier (eight points, including a goal, in 24 games) = D

Alexandre Carrier has lost his laziness.

He’s much less effective in the defensive zone and he’s had a tougher time of it in recent weeks. He’s one of those players who needs to give more right now. And clearly, he needs to find a way to become the Alexandre Carrier we saw last season.

Arber Xhekaj (one point in 24 games) = D

Arber Xhekaj isn’t the same player. He doesn’t hit anymore, he doesn’t fight anymore… and one wonders what he’s good for in the Montreal Canadiens line-up.

He knows what he has to do to be effective, a bit like Josh Anderson. But he doesn’t do it… because he looks a little stressed in his decision-making.

Jayden Struble (four points in 24 games) = C

Is Jayden Struble the perfect player?

Obviously, the answer is no. But he keeps things simple and does his business without causing too many problems. He’s found a way to get more physical, too, and I still like that.

But let’s agree that we’re not talking about the team’s saviour here either.

Let’s finish with the goalkeepers…

Samuel Montembeault (5-5-1, .864 and 3.49) = D

Monty started the season as the Canadiens’ #1 goaltender. And he seems to have lost that position… because he hasn’t been getting the job done since the start of the season.

He had a good game against the Golden Knights last Friday. But his good performances can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and that’s really not good enough for a goalie like him.

Jakub Dobes (8-3-1, .888 and 3.22) = B

Jakub Dobes was on fire at the start of the campaign, but went through a rougher patch afterwards.

But I think it’s fair to give him a good grade, because he helped the Canadiens to some very important wins early in the season. Without him, the Habs might be in the lower echelons of the National League right now…

Extension

I’d love to know what you think of these scores. Feel free to share your comments if you like… because it can make for a good discussion.

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Samuel Blais scores twice in his first game with the Rocket

Tonight, the Rocket was in action against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in a game that Laval won in a shootout by a score of 5 to 4.

In the win, Samuel Blais, who was called for waivers by the Habs two days ago, scored two goals in his first game with the Rocket, including the tying goal late in the third period, as well as the shootout winner.

The arrival of the Québécois will compensate in part, at least in the short term, for the absence of forwards Florian Xhekaj and Jared Davidson, who have been recalled by the Habs. Blais could also quickly take the place of one of his two players in Montreal.

It was Jacob Fowler in front of the Laval net, and he had a decent night in goal against the Phantoms.

The young keeper was rather busy, with 38 shots directed at him, four of which went wide.

However, this was only the second game in which Fowler had conceded more than two goals to the opposition in his last nine starts, since the October 22 game against the Belleville Senators when he allowed 6 goals on 24 shots.

Since the start of the season, the Habs prospect has performed well in front of the Rocket net, with a record of eight wins, including three shutouts, and four losses, as well as a goals-against-average of 2.25 and save percentage of 0.915.

Alex Belzile also had a good game up front, scoring twice in his team’s victory.

Another player who continues to perform well is David Reinbacher, who picked up a point (an assist) in his third straight game. The defenseman has five points, including three goals, in his last three games.

The absence of Adam Engström, who was recalled by the Canadiens, is a good opportunity for Reinbacher to take on more responsibility at the blue line for the Rocket and take his game up a notch.

The Rocket continues to do well even though the team has had to deal with several key absentees with the recall of Engström, Florian Xhekaj and Jared Davidson by the big club.

The club also had to deal with several injuries to the blue line for much of October.

Despite all this, Laval is in first place in its division with 26 points from 19 games.

In Overtime

– A goal and two assists for Michael Hage.

– Leafs forward explodes.

– It’s all happening!

– Boston wins the shootout.

– Jets win.

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I want to see Jakub Dobes face the Senators on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre

Yesterday afternoon in Colorado, Jakub Dobes allowed seven goals against the Avalanche.

But you know what?

It’s not necessarily his fault. The guys in front of him played like crap… and the Avalanche, who are having a monster season, really enjoyed themselves against the Canadiens. The Montreal club had played the day before, and it looked like the guys were a little tired from the trip out West.

The Canadiens play four games in the coming week: Tuesday against the Sens, Wednesday against the Jets, Saturday against the Leafs and Sunday against the Blues.

The only away game this week is in Toronto.

So I wonder what the goaltending will be like… but if I were Martin St-Louis, I’d send Dobes in front of the net on Tuesday against the Sens. And I’ll explain why I think that way.

(Credit: Getty Images)

The first reason is this: since the start of the season, Dobes has been performing the best. Samuel Montembeault is having a tougher time of it, and even though he won his last game brilliantly, he still has a long way to go before he’s back to full confidence.

That said, the Sens are doing well lately: the team has a 6-3-1 record in its last 10 games. The Jets, who will be at the Bell Centre on Wednesday night, have just four wins in their last ten games…

Sending the hottest goalie against the Senators on Tuesday makes sense. And it would also give Monty a chance to face a team that’s not doing so well: it could give him a better chance of having a big game… and gaining even more confidence.

I’d like to see Dobes given a chance to bounce back against a good team, because he deserves it even with his outing yesterday. The Sens are a strong force to be reckoned with, as they have talent on both forward and defense, and this will be a good test for Martin St-Louis’ men too.

In short. All that to say that, in my eyes, Dobes has to play on Tuesday… and Monty has to play on Wednesday. As for the weekend games, it all depends on how the Canadiens’ two goalies perform against the Sens and Jets…

[spaer title=’Overtime’]

– Yes.

– They’re really good.

– Oops!

– Oh.

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Dossier Nazem Kadri: the Panthers get in the way of the Habs

Before the start of the season, the Montreal Canadiens’ center line was in doubt for a number of reasons.

There were questions as to whether it would be talented enough, especially at second center, to accompany Ivan Demidov in his first NHL season.

Well, with the recent medium- and long-term injuries to Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, the Habs’ center line has become extremely thin and all the more questionable.

After Nick Suzuki, Oliver Kapanen, Jake Evans and Joe Veleno complete the line-up.

It’s VERY thin and not ideal for a team with playoff aspirations, which makes the search for a center even more important and urgent.

In recent weeks, Nazem Kadri has been the most talked-about name in the search for a center in Montreal.

However, the Habs are not alone in their search, as the Florida Panthers are also said to be interested at the same level as the Habs.

Indeed, that’s what David Pagnotta reported on Jeff Marek’s The Sheet podcast yesterday.

Pagnotta explains that he’s obviously heard a lot about the Canadiens being linked to Kadri this season, but that recently, the other team he’s started hearing about in this matter is the Florida Panthers.

It makes sense to see the Panthers in the picture, given that their best center Aleksander Barkov is out with a very long-term injury, and that’s been a huge detriment to the team’s success this season.

The Panthers are struggling to find their stride, currently 14th in the Eastern Conference with 25 points (12-11-1).

An addition like Kadri therefore becomes very interesting for the Panthers.

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions are clearly in the Montreal Canadiens’ sights, so it’ll be interesting to see how things develop.

Despite the fact that the Calgary Flames are having a poor season, languishing 31st in the NHL, owner Murray Edwards recently stated that he wanted to keep his current core, especially Nazem Kadri.

This is surprising, given the Flames’ need to rebuild, but if the owner wants to keep his veterans, they won’t be traded, at least for now.

So it’s something to keep an eye on, even if nothing is imminent at the moment.

Overtime

– A file to keep an eye on.

– For those interested.

– Why not? He’d be a great physical addition to the team.

– A fine line-up.

– Read more.

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Overview of CH prospects: Michael Hage scores six points in two games

While the Montreal Canadiens were playing a two-game back-to-back this afternoon on American Thanksgiving Day, the Habs’ college prospects stood out.

The Habs have several NCAA prospects, and two of them stood out this weekend.

Here’s a rundown of these Habs prospects’ performances.

Michael Hage – Center – age 19

The Habs’ top prospect at center had an excellent American Thanksgiving weekend in the NCAA, scoring six points in two games.

Hage was sparkling in both Saturday’s and Sunday’s games against Harvard University, as the University of Michigan won 5-1 and 4-3 in overtime.

In Saturday’s win, Hage had three assists on his team’s five goals, and yesterday, the Habs prospect scored a superb goal and two assists.

This is the kind of sequence and goal that allows us to see the full extent of Hage’s talent, and can only excite us for what’s to come.

His speed, range, puck control, hands and shooting make him a constant threat on the ice, and we can really see this translating to the NHL in the medium term.

In short, with his fine weekend, Hage now has 26 points, including ten goals, in 18 games, tying him for the NCAA scoring lead with three other forwards.

(Credit: EliteProspects.com)

L.J. Mooney – Centre – 18 years old

Here’s the other Canadiens prospect who stood out this weekend.

We all remember how Mooney made the news after being selected in the fourth round (113th overall) at the last draft and also at the Habs’ development camp.

Well, since then, Mooney has been playing his NCAA rookie season with the University of Minnesota, and he’s doing quite well considering that Minnesota really isn’t as big a powerhouse as usual this season.

Yesterday, however, Minnesota pulled off a very big 6-5 overtime win over the University of Denver, and Mooney had a lot to do with it.

He picked up an assist, but more importantly, he scored his team’s fifth goal at a crucial moment in the game.

With this two-point performance, Mooney now has 13 points, including four goals, in 17 games.

That’s a very respectable haul for an 18-year-old rookie with his size (5’8″ and 165 lbs.), especially on a team that’s been on a tear this season.

Overtime

– To be continued today.

– Bad news for the Utah Mammoth.

– Here’s what Clayton Keller had to say after the St. Louis Blues’ beautiful tribute to his father yesterday.

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11 points in 12 games: Zachary Bolduc only produces away from home

We all loved Zachary Bolduc’s start to the season, when the Québécois scored four points, including three goals, in his first three games with the Canadiens.

It was a dream start for Bolduc, but unfortunately, things went wrong after that, and he became somewhat invisible on the ice.

Fortunately, things have been going a little better for the Québécois in recent games, with five points in his last three games and six points in his last six, since he’s been on the first line.

You might think that putting Zachary Bolduc on the first line with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki instead of Juraj Slafkovsky is what has revived the Québécois, but there’s more to it than that.

Indeed, the biggest correlation in Bolduc’s play this season with the Canadiens is that he’s only producing away from home.

Not convinced?

Well, of his 12 points, including six goals, in 24 games this season, the Habs’ #76 has scored 11 of them, including all his goals, away from home.

(Credit: NHL.com)

What this tells us about Bolduc’s season is that he’s absolutely excellent on the road, so much so that he’s the Habs’ third-highest scorer away from home behind only Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.

However, this statistic also tells us that Bolduc has just one little point at home in 12 games at the Bell Centre.

It’s worth noting that Bolduc earned this home assist in an 8-4 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Only Arber Xhekaj is worse among the Habs regulars this season, with zero points at home.

So it’s a pretty glaring observation, which has clearly become a trend at this point in the season, as the sample size is now larger and more balanced.

Bolduc has played 12 home games and 12 road games, which gives a good idea of the Québécois’ performance.

This has become all the more clear since the Habs’ #76 started producing again this week, with the team back on the road.

He has five points in his last three games, and is playing much better hockey.

In short, Zachary Bolduc is still intimidated by the Bell Centre, in the hope that he’ll end up playing in the amphitheatre of his childhood dreams.

Bolduc clearly can’t wait to score his first goal in front of a Montreal crowd, and we hope it happens as soon as possible.

If the Québécois can start producing at home the way he does on the road, it would really be ideal for the Canadiens.

Overtime

– Things are going well for Reinbacher.

– A race not to be missed today.

– It’s clear.

– All the better.

– Read more.