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“The Canadiens allow more goals than in Dominique Ducharme’s worst moments”

MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 4: Martin St-Louis head coach of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during the warm-up of the NHL regular season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell Centre on April 4, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Vitor Munhoz/NHLI via Getty Images)

I know it, you know it: things aren’t going very well for the Canadiens these days. They’re getting beaten more often than not, and it’s often because they’re giving away a ton of goals.

Over the past ten days, they’ve lost games in which they’ve allowed seven, eight and six goals. It’s hard to win when your opponent scores so often.

So for a while now, we’ve been talking about the young brigade, the man-to-man system, the goalies who aren’t doing their job and the coaches’ job, for one simple reason: the results are catastrophic on the ice.

And yesterday, at around the 9-minute mark of the podcast Sortie de zone(La Presse, 98.5 FM), Alexandre Pratt made a statement that, at first glance, seems intense:

The Canadiens allow more goals than in Dominique Ducharme’s worst moments. – Alexandre Pratt

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Now, while that may seem like a bit of an exaggeration considering the bad memories of that distant era, it’s not completely untrue either.

In 11 games so far this season, the Habs have allowed 46 goals. That’s appalling, but in reality, the Habs under Ducharme have seen worse: in January 2022 (just before the coaching change), the Canadiens allowed 54 goals in 11 games.

However, to take this last statistic out of context would be a tad dishonest. At the time, the club was completely decimated by injuries, and for a game or two, the COVID-19 forced the Habs to play with a few less players.

The Habs’ 2024-25 edition doesn’t have such excuses. Kaiden Guhle’s absence hurt the club, of course, but apart from a few guys who missed games here and there, the club is generally healthy.

And don’t make me believe that Patrik Laine is making the team concede more goals.

Eventually, Martin St-Louis’ “concepts” will have to translate into results. I’m one of those people who didn’t really believe in the Habs’ chances of making the playoffs this year, and I was expecting a year of misery, but there are ways of losing that are unacceptable.

And since the start of the season, the Canadiens have been finding them one after the other. That’s got to change.

Overtime

– Phew.

– Pierre Houde honored with Hewitt Award. [NHL]

– Hats off.

– Will it happen?

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#13 : Johnny Gaudreau brings luck to the NHL’s top scorers

MONTREAL, CANADA - OCTOBER 9: Cole Caufield #13 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period of the NHL regular season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on October 9, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Vitor Munhoz/NHLI via Getty Images)

Before the start of the NHL season, the death of the Gaudreau brothers was a tragedy that left its mark on the hockey world. We’re talking about two deaths that should never have happened and that, unfortunately, served as yet another reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving.

That said, the tragedy united the hockey community, who paid tribute to both men. In Montreal, Cole Caufield changed his number to #13 in tribute to Johnny Gaudreau.

It was a fitting tribute to his childhood idol.

And clearly, in 2024-25, Gaudreau’s #13 is a lucky charm. This morning, when we look at the league’s top scorers this season, we see that the three players at the top are all wearing #13.

We’re talking about Nico Hischier, Cole Caufield and Sam Reinhart.

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We know that #13 is often associated with bad luck, but that’s clearly not the case so far in the NHL. All three guys are scoring goals at a breakneck pace, and they’re all off to exceptional starts to the season.

It’s not a huge sample, but they’ve all played a dozen games.

We also note that #13 seems to be bringing luck to Alexis Lafrenière, who has 10 points in 10 games so far this season. He seems to have reached a new level this season, scoring another goal last night.

And again, even though it’s very early, we note that if the season ended today, the Blue Jackets would be in the playoffs. As of today, they would get the eighth and final spot to enter the spring dance.

Whether or not Gaudreau’s #13 really brings luck to the players who wear it, and whether it really helps the Blue Jackets get off to a great start, is up to you, but either way, it’s a great way to look at it.

Overtime

– Great reading.

– He’s so impressive.

– Peter DeBoer and Paul Maurice are good friends.

– Beautiful moment.

– Too bad.

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Owen Beck plays like a guy who wants to replace Christian Dvorak in Montreal

Things haven’t exactly been going great for the Canadiens for a while now. The club has lost six of its last eight games, but what’s most worrying is the way it’s losing them.

They’re not just losing, they’re being consistently outplayed.

And among the guys being singled out is Christian Dvorak. The veteran isn’t exactly playing inspired hockey, and right now, he’s hurting more than he’s helping the Habs’ cause.

So, right now, we’re thinking there might be (at least) one chair up for grabs in Montreal. And if there’s one person who understands that, it’s Owen Beck.

Yesterday, for example, the kid scored this beautiful shorthanded goal, which turned out to be the winning goal for the Rocket in a game where the club was somewhat saved by its goaltender, Connor Hughes.

The club-school is now 7-1-0, despite an overflowing infirmary.

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For the time being, the only reinforcement the Habs will have is in-house. Early-season deals in the NHL are very rare, and often a club has to overpay massively to get reinforcement at this stage of the season.

And that’s not Kent Hughes’ usual way of doing things.

Beck, for his part, seems well aware of this. The youngster has five points in his last five games, and already feels like a fish in water in the pros. It hasn’t been too difficult to adapt to a guy who already played pro-style in junior.

I’m not telling you this morning that the Habs should recall Owen Beck right away. In fact, letting him mature a few more months in the Rocket’s environment (which, at the moment, is much rosier than the Canadiens’) may not be a bad thing.

That said, no one is going to convince me this morning that Beck would do worse than Dvorak in the NHL. The Habs would be thin on right-handed centers with such a change, but Dvorak is a problem right now, and if we want immediate reinforcement, it will have to come from within.

I’d have told you about Michael Hage, who made that sublime pass yesterday, but he’s in the NCAA. At best, he’ll be in town at the very end of the season… if he doesn’t go back for another year in the NCAA in 2025-26.

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Beck isn’t the only option (Joshua Roy is a recurring name, and Brandon Gignac also does a good job if the club wants a veteran), but right now he’s playing like a guy who wants to take Dvorak’s chair with the Canadiens.

The question is whether he’ll take that chair next season… or in a few weeks’ time.

Overtime

– Speaking of Habs prospects.

– What do you think?

– It was Les Boys night in Quebec City yesterday.

– Impressive.

– We wish him the best.

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Kirby Dach has the worst differential in the NHL

I know, I know: differential in the NHL of 2024 is worth what it’s worth. I understand that – and I’m the first to say it’s not the most meaningful statistic.

However, like a reliever’s win-loss record in baseball, it’s worth something… if you go to extremes.

That’s why I can say that seeing Kirby Dach ranked last in the NHL (688th out of 688) with a differential of -12 isn’t exactly a promising statistic.

(Credit: NHL.com)

I know, I know: the season is young. I’m also the first to say that you have to take your time with a guy coming back from injury.

But the fact remains that it’s now November. To see a Habs player in last place in the league – and his line-mate, Alex Newhook (-9), in 682nd – is NOT a good sign.

What does -12 mean?

When you break it down, you see that Dach, who has played 11 games, has been on the ice for 12 more opponent goals than Flanelle goals at even strength. That’s more than one goal per game, which is no mean feat.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that the forward needs to correct his defensive game. Did he get the message when he saw that this morning, several Canadiens players also urged Martin St-Louis to take care of the club’s defensive game?

After all, it can’t go on like this.

The good news for him? When Kirby Dach and the Canadiens are eliminated from the playoff race, maybe he’ll have a leg up on his teammates on the golf course.

-12, that’s good golf.

Overtime

– Wow.

– Arber Xhekaj’s penalty against Philly is still the talk of the town.[RG]

– Indeed.

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Top-5: when the Lightning and Wild play with… two pucks

Yesterday was a busy day in the NHL, with six games on the schedule.

Let’s take a look at what happened on the Bettman circuit:

1. When Lightning and Wild play with… two pucks

Normally, in hockey, the aim of the game is quite simple: take the puck off the ice and try to put it in the opposing net. So far, I’m not telling you anything new.

Last night, however, the Wild and Lightning were ingenious: they figured that with two pucks on the ice, it would double the fun.

The result was this… bizarre sequence.

Obviously, there’s a slightly more logical explanation for this situation: during a previous stoppage of play, a puck had lodged itself in the net, but nobody had seen it. It was then dislodged… and ended up on the ice.

Poor Andrei Vasilevskiy was therefore quite confused to see his team-mate prepare a zone exit with the puck… when at the same time, Marco Rossi also had a puck and was just inches away from him.

You don’t see that every day, do you?

The rest of the game was played with just one puck… but that didn’t stop Kirill Kaprizov from shining with it. In a 5-3 win, he scored three points, including his team’s third goal.

His 21 points this season put him at the top of the NHL…

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2. Aleksander Barkov shines in front of his fans in Finland

Yesterday afternoon saw some action in the NHL, as the Panthers and Stars, who both have Finnish star players, crossed swords in Finland.

In particular, the Stars let their three Finns do a solo lap of the ice during warm-up… but poor Miro Heiskanen tripped on the ice. Oops.

However, both clubs played a very attacking game. A total of 10 goals were scored in the match, including three by Finnish players.

Aleksander Barkov led the charge with four points, including this goal.

A 6-4 victory for the Panthers, who win the first game of a series of two duels in two days in Finland.

Nice moment for Barkov at the end of the game, by the way, as he was named player of the game in his native country.

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3. Flames fans taunt Jacob Markstrom

This summer, the Flames traded Jacob Markstrom to the Devils. It was a big deal, as one of the league’s best goaltenders changed addresses.

And for the Devils, it was an opportunity to plug a hole in their roster.

But last night, Markstrom was back in Calgary… and he gave up three goals to his former club, all in the third period. This led the fans on hand to taunt their former player.

What didn’t help Markstrom’s cause was that his opponent, Dan Vladar, didn’t flinch all evening.

He blanked the Devils, helping the Flames to a 3-0 victory.

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4. Hat trick for Nikolaj Ehlers

The Winnipeg Jets are on fire this season. The club is winning games non-stop, and yesterday, the Jets could become the first NHL team to reach the 10-win mark.

And Nikolaj Ehlers clearly understands this. The Dane was on fire last night, scoring a hat trick before the end of the second period.

He was dominant.

Josh Morrissey, Gabe Vilardi and Mason Appleton also contributed to the Jets’ 6-2 win over the Blue Jackets.

10 wins this season for the Jets.

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5. Worrying scene for Mike Reilly

Yesterday, the Islanders were in Buffalo to take on the Sabres. While there were a few good moments of hockey, it was a scene early in the second period that caught the eye.

And for all the wrong reasons.

When Mike Reilly was near the boards, Jordan Greenway hit him hard… and it took Reilly a long time to get up.

The stretcher was taken out, but Reilly was able to skate away, albeit aided by his team-mates.

However, the Islanders found a way to avenge their team-mate’s loss with victory.

Maxim Tsyplakov’s fine goal helped the Isles to victory.

Extension

– Alexis Lafrenière scored last night.

– Quite a shot from Artemi Panarin.

– The Finns stole the show at yesterday’s match in Finland.

– 1000 NHL games for Mikael Backlund.

– Top scorers of the night.

(Credit: Screenshot/NHL.com)

– Big day ahead.

(Credit: Screenshot/Google)

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Martin St-Louis says winning is not his priority right now

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 10: Montreal Canadiens interim head coach Martin St-Louis addresses the media on February 10, 2022, at Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

Canadiens fans are angry today after yesterday’s loss to the Washington Capitals.

On the whole, it’s not because the Habs lost that grumbling is taking hold in town.

It’s because the club got thrashed yet again. Losing games happens… But losing games like this shouldn’t happen often, and it hasn’t for a few weeks now.

Nick Suzuki is the first to say it: lately, the Habs haven’t been good enough.

The team won’t win if it continues to play like this… But according to Martin St-Louis, it’s not so bad if the defeats keep piling up.

Why not?

Because, in the coach’s eyes, the priority right now is not to win.

He said in a press briefing after today’s practice that his priority is rather to “change habits”:

Since the golf tournament, managers and players have been saying they want to be in the mix at the end of the season.

That said, how can you be in the mix if your priority isn’t winning games?

Martin St-Louis’ words are understandable in the sense that, at the moment, nothing is working for the Canadiens.

Last weekend’s two wins put things back on track for a few days… And the chain came off again this week against the Seattle Kraken.

But even if there are aspects to be corrected, the coach’s mentality has to be different. If the club takes to the ice night after night to “change habits” without even worrying about the result, the Habs will never be able to move forward in the rebuilding process.

Being used to losing games is never a good thing…

There’s a big gray cloud hanging over the Canadiens right now, and Martin St-Louis isn’t doing anything to calm things down.

You can’t say that the goal isn’t to win games when six weeks ago, everyone was saying at the golf tournament that the goal was to be in the race until the end…

It doesn’t look good, at least. And it looks a little crazy.

Overtime

– The Bruins need to get back on their feet.

– Well done!

– So much the better.

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Nick Suzuki: “We haven’t been good enough for a few weeks”.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

I tried to tell you two months ago: the Habs don’t have a good team on hand.

Do I think the Habs will ever be good? Yes. I think the elements are there. But I also think it’s too early to talk about the Canadiens as a #InTheMix playoff club.

And without saying that Nick Suzuki says the same thing, it’s clear that he’s (obviously) not happy with his group.

We haven’t been good enough lately. – Nick Suzuki

Understandably, the Habs captain said this after the club’s punishing practice. Martin St-Louis decided to get his boys skating en masse this noon, on the Washington side.

He knows his club is good, but he hasn’t seen this in a few weeks.

The problem? The season’s already been underway for a few weeks. If the club hasn’t been good enough for a few weeks, it’s because the club hasn’t been good enough since the start of the season.

That’s why Tankathon jokes are back.

Since the start of the season, the Canadiens are on a 67-point pace. That’s down from 76 last season. What progress, you ask?

67 points is one more than the Blue Jackets of 2023-2024. That season went badly in Ohio – and Pascal Vincent can tell you all about it, I imagine.

Overtime

– The coach isn’t happy.

– Yes.

– Reminder: I’m worried about Tony.

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Christian Dvorak’s “punishment” for being useless? Have some 5-on-3 ice time!

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 31: Dylan McIlrath #52 of the Washington Capitals battles for the puck against Christian Dvorak #28 of the Montreal Canadiens during a game at Capital One Arena on October 31, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images)

It’s November 1st. That means it’s already Christmas in the stores.

But before we turn the page on Halloween, let’s remember that last night, the Canadiens gave up two points to the Capitals as if they were, well, Halloween candy.

And Martin St-Louis’ men didn’t need to dress up to look like a bad team.

In the 6-3 loss, which prompted the coach to say that the club had puked on itself in a press conference, the Canadiens really looked like a disorganized club on the ice.

Again, you might say.

There are several possible explanations for this poor performance. But the first player to be singled out is Christian Dvorak. Once again, you may ask…

First question: why is he only capable of making beautiful passes… to his opponents?

Second question: why, after the game, does everyone act like he played an uneventful game when he collects performances that are very, very… embarrassing?

No one is grilled about Dvorak after the game.

Third question: why does he get five-on-three playing time? Just when everyone’s wondering what the coach is waiting for to send him a message, the center gets quality minutes on the powerplay.

Let’s not give them to Jake Evans or Emil Heineman, eh?

It’s completely illogical for Martin St-Louis to tolerate such performances from Dvorak – and many other players. But if he’s not punished, how can Dvorak know he’s in the wrong?

But don’t think I’m picking on him. After all, there are positives: Martin St-Louis is cutting back on his playing time (he was the least-used forward with 10 minutes and 12 seconds), the player is winning his face-offs… and he’s capable of making some great passes. #Oups

This club needs a shake-up, and giving Dvorak or Joel Armia, for example, powerplay time isn’t going to get it done, we agree. Agreed?

The club is all crooked, and it’s clear that simply stirring the pot won’t be enough. At the very least, we’re going to have to call up some people from Laval, where the start of the season is going much better. It’s now or never to try and be #InTheMix… for those who still believe in it.

Anthony Marcotte raised several names that could make a difference, and it’s not just Joshua Roy and Alex Barré-Boulet who could be options. A Luke Tuch, for example, could change the identity of the fourth line.

Actually, I stand corrected: he could bring an identity to the fourth line. You can’t change something that doesn’t exist, after all… and right now, the fourth line isn’t doing anything at all.

Will it be like this all year? I don’t think so… but the question arises.

After all, the same problems keep recurring from game to game, and I have a feeling that the things I say the day after a game keep coming back.

1. Cayden Primeau let in six goals on 34 shots. But hey: that’s better than the eight goals allowed against the Kraken on Tuesday and the seven against the Rangers last week.

The Habs have given up 26 goals in their last five games. That’s not good: it’s about one goal every 12 minutes.

Are the goalies to blame? No. But could the goalies give more to save their defenders’ butts once in a while?

Jakub Dobes picked the wrong time to get hurt. Am I exaggerating? A little, but…

2. On a positive note: Cole Caufield scored his 10th goal in 11 games. Nick Suzuki collected two points, including a goal, for a total of 13 points this season. Lane Hutson, who is clearly on his opponents’ game plan, picked up two assists.

Brendan Gallagher found the back of the net again.

3. Six shots in the first. Six shots in the second. Four shots in the third. Do Martin St-Louis’ men really think that 16 shots are enough to win a hockey match?

The Capitals took 34 shots – 13 in the second and 14 in the third. And surprise: it was in these periods that they scored six times.

4. You won’t believe this, but I forgot something in the positive category: Josh Anderson showing leadership by fighting Tom Wilson.

And he even won!

5. We could go on for a while, but let’s end on this: Jayden Struble and Justin Barron only played a little over 10 minutes. The coach doesn’t trust them enough.

But at the same time, he must be wondering who to replace them with.

Overtime

The Canadiens take on the Penguins tomorrow. In the meantime, at noon on Friday, there’s a practice on the menu in Washington. Will it be an intense practice?

Will Martin St-Louis be shuffling his cards?

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“At least three teams are keeping a close eye on Jake Evans”

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 16: Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (71) plays the puck during the Detroit Red Wings versus the Montreal Canadiens game on April 16, 2024, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jake Evans has been on fire since the start of the season. I don’t know what he’s been putting into his Froot Loops, but…

On the power play, he’s reliable. When you need a guy to abort a play or get the offense going again, he’s there. He always seems to be in the right place on the ice.

The line he forms with Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher is very stable for the Habs right now. What’s more, Evans is increasingly confident in his shot, which is a good thing.

Evans is currently doing a job that Owen Beck or any other prospect on the club can’t do without several years of experience in the Bettman circuit. He’s very useful.

From a personal point of view, Evans has also chosen the right time to blossom, as he will be a free agent in just a few months. He’s in a position to sign an attractive contract.

The question, of course, is whether the contract will be signed in Montreal or elsewhere.

Evans wants to stay in town, but I wonder how far the Habs had planned for Evans to progress. Will the long-term budget pay Evans what he’s worth now? Good question.

If the Canadiens continue to lose and Evans continues to play like this, perhaps the Habs will decide that his best value lies elsewhere. I really don’t think the club is there yet, but the theory can be raised.

And should the Habs decide to make a move, Marco D’Amico of Responsible Gambler claims that several teams (at least three) are keeping an eye on the Montreal Canadiens’ center forward.

NHL insider D’Amico has heard that the Canadiens are in no hurry to trade Evans. Fair enough.

Evans, who has five points so far this campaign, earns $1.7 million a year for a few more months. For an aspiring club, that’s a very easy contract to absorb.

But at a certain point, you have to wonder whether trading Jake Evans would allow the Canadiens to get the reinforcements they need elsewhere. That would be one way of being creative.

Because to simply trade the Ontarian for a pick, I really don’t think that would be productive for a club that wants to get off the bottom. It wouldn’t be productive in my eyes, at the very least.

Overtime

– He’ll have to do it a lot.

– Interesting.

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“We threw up on ourselves”: Martin St-Louis furious after the Washington game

The Canadiens didn’t play a good game  in Washington. My colleague Michaël Petit has put together a summary of the game, for those who didn’t have the “chance” to see the duel.

We’ll have plenty of time to talk about it tomorrow, but it’s worth noting that Martin St-Louis, after the game, finally looked annoyed with his team’s performance. Finally!

He repeatedly used the expression “throwing up on ourselves” to express that the guys had shot themselves in the foot.

And it’s not as if he said it just once. To illustrate just how bad the five-on-three went, he also said that “when you throw up on yourself, you have to score” afterwards.

And to illustrate that the group is fragile?

Of course we have a fragile group, but we do it to ourselves.

We’re sticking our fingers down our own throats. It’s not food poisoning. – Martin St-Louis

He ended his first minute (of about three) of press briefing by mentioning that if anyone watches the game, he’ll be able to pinpoint what was wrong with the Habs tonight.

Definitely worth a listen.

This is the time when the coach looks the angriest this season. Usually, he keeps his cool (for better or worse) in front of the cameras. But tonight, we felt the passion.