Category: Dans les coulisses

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Dans les coulisses

Top-4: Matthews with a goalie stick, Reaves and Olivier drop the gloves, 3 goals for Fantilli…

Four games were showcased yesterday in the NHL.

And there was action… Especially in Toronto!

Let’s see what happened:

1 : Wild game in Toronto… And you’ll understand why

The Blue Jackets are surprising this season.

They visited Toronto last night to face the Leafs, and Ryan Reaves and Mathieu Olivier took the opportunity to drop the gloves at the start of the game.

A REAL heavyweight fight:

This was the first time Reaves and Olivier fought each other in the NHL.

And they put on quite a show!

After the game, Auston Matthews somewhat threw Leafs fans under the bus. He wished the crowd had been louder after the fight:

The Leafs’ captain said it gave energy to his team… but Toronto’s squad was never able to capitalize on it.

The Leafs lost 5-1 and the player of the game was truly Adam Fantilli.

The young player recorded his first career hat trick in the NHL:

There was a sequence during the game worth sharing.

There was a scuffle in front of the Blue Jackets’ net, causing Matthews and Elvis Merzlikins to lose their sticks.

The result?

Matthews picked up Merzlikins’ stick and it led to quite a funny moment.

Both were sent off (2 minutes) for playing with another stick:

A big win for the Blue Jackets, who are currently in the playoff race.

Things are going well in Columbus!

2 : Despite Makar’s brilliance…

The Avalanche can boast.

The team has several (very) good players in its lineup, and yesterday, we saw what some of them can do on the ice.

MacKinnon scored to reach the 75-point mark (!) and Cale Makar scored a simply magnificent goal while falling:

But we can agree on one thing.

MacKinnon and Makar are excellent, but they can’t do it all alone.

The score was tied at the end of the match and overtime was needed to determine a winner… and Neil Pionk stepped up for the Jets.

The defenseman scored to allow his team to win 3-2:

3 : Heavy loss for the Devils

The Bruins had no chance against the Devils last night.

The New Jersey team won with a score of 5-1, and Dawson Mercer stood out by scoring two goals.

He was named the first star of the game, and he deserved it:

Despite the victory… there were also some negatives on the Devils’ side during the game.

Jacob Markström had to leave the game after being run into by Justin Brazeau, and the footage shows how much difficulty he had getting back up.

It does not look good for the goalie…

It seems we will have to wait for news on Markström.

But at first glance, we might fear the worst…

4 : Another home victory for the Kings

This season, the Kings are virtually untouchable at home.

This was also the case last night: Darcy Kuemper was brilliant in net, stopping 27 of the 28 shots he faced and helped his team win 2-1 against the Panthers.

The Kings’ two goals were scored in the third period:

The Panthers had a chance to tie it at the end of the match… but Kuemper wouldn’t allow it.

He played a big game:

The Kings now have a record of 15-3-1 at home this season.

Not bad!

Let’s also note that this is the tenth win in eleven games for the Los Angeles team.

Overtime

– Oh.

– I love.

– It’s obvious!

– The top scorers of the night:

(Credit: NHL.com)

– It will be busy tonight:

(Credit: Google)
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We can expect to see Emil Heineman in uniform again in two weeks.

Last week, we learned that Emil Heineman had been hit by a car in Utah. The Canadian team then announced a three to four weeks absence for their player.

And it seems that the timeline is still current.

According to what Renaud Lavoie reported yesterday at TVA Sports, we can expect to see Heineman back in the Canadiens’ uniform in about two weeks. In any case, that is what the journalist expects in the situation.

This aligns with the three to four weeks that the CH announced last week.

It should be noted that yesterday, after his team’s practice, Heineman skated solo for about ten minutes. Since he is injured in the upper body, he can still skate lightly.

Not being injured in the lower body means that the player can continue to work on his cardio and that his absence, in this sense, could be somewhat shorter than if he could not skate lightly this week.

This is good news for the player.

In terms of scheduling, in two weeks, the CH will finish their trip out West. Will Heineman be able to make the trip to California? One might think not… but who knows?

I imagine the CH would like to see him play during the Super Bowl weekend (against the Devils and the Lightning) so they can assess the rookie’s medical progress before the Four Nations Tournament.

(Credit: NHL.com)

If Heineman can indeed return around February 8, it will mean that Martin St-Louis will have to manage without him for another seven games. Tonight, Michael Pezzetta is expected to take the place of Owen Beck, who was sent back to the AHL.

Will there be another recall in the short term to replace Heineman? We’ll see in due time.

In Brief

— Standings: the CH out of the playoff picture this morning.

(Credit: NHL.com)

— The CH is currently playing in the Martin St-Louis style. [98.5 Sports]

— Happy listening.

— I agree.

— Expect to see Drew Doughty facing the CH on February 5.

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The children of Martin St-Louis sang the praises of their father.

The last time we talked about Martin St-Louis’s children was in 2024 when his youngest (Mason) had an accident that caused the head coach of the Canadiens to return home for a few games.

Otherwise, we know little about the coach’s family. We know he has three boys who play hockey in the United States, but other than that, we don’t really know who his three boys are.

However, in an exclusive interview, Anthony Martineau managed to speak with the children of the CH coach to learn a little more about the former Lightning star. You can read his article by clicking here.

Obviously, you won’t be surprised to learn that St-Louis’s children (Lucas and Ryan, his two oldest) only had good things to say about their father.

In my eyes, it is especially the fact that the two boys, who are not obligated to speak to a Quebec media outlet, agreed to talk about their father that speaks volumes. This is an important subtext of the TVA Sports article.

But that doesn’t make the article any less interesting.

It is especially relevant to learn that he has always been a good motivator when he coached his boys… and that his analogies are not just for the sake of it: it’s part of him.

I know you are starting to be aware of his passion for analogies. – Lucas St-Louis

His boys emphasized his honesty and the importance of family feeling (both for his team and for his family, he watches all the games of his three sons’ teams) that he instills in his life.

And of course, his love for the CH (which comes from Martin’s father) and his desire to win are at the heart of St-Louis’s personality.

via GIPHY

Clearly, we feel that the CH players play for their coach and that in both good and less good moments, a team spirit has been forming in Montreal for a few seasons now.

And in light of the statements of Martin St-Louis’s sons to Anthony Martineau, who provided several good quotes, we understand why.

It is important to mention that in light of the Canadiens’ successes, comments against the coach are not publicly aired at the moment. The resilience his sons speak of is really showing at this time. And the CH is benefiting from it.

St-Louis has always had a reputation for loving to win, and right now, he must be enjoying himself immensely. I imagine he will enjoy it even more when Ivan Demidov arrives in town…

in brief

– To read.

– The CH cannot escape the game in Detroit. [BPM Sports]

– Hmm…

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Jacob Markstrom: his injury could provide another second-round pick for the Canadiens.

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Devils easily defeated the Bruins yesterday in New Jersey. The men of Jim Montgomery Joe Sacco took the lead early in the first, but they saw the Devils score five unanswered goals. Final score: 5 to 1. If there were a Cage in Newark, it would be serving free wings to its customers today.

The Bruins’ defeat pleased me. First, I don’t like the Bruins and their fans.

Second, The CH was able to stay ahead of their Boston rival in the standings (which is very tight).

(Credit: NHL.com)

However, the Bruins’ defeat could be quite secondary for CH fans. Why?

Jacob Markstrom (Devils) got injured early in the second. Forward Chris Kreider Justin Brazeau made contact with Markstrom while attempting to redirect the puck behind him.

Markstrom had to leave the game due to an injury to his left leg. His departure from the ice was not encouraging for any fan of the Devils.

Is Markstrom injured in the knee? In the hip? In the thigh? Analyzing how his knee turned (or didn’t) upon contact with Brazeau, I would be inclined to say the knee.

I know, sometimes appearances can be deceiving. Josh Anderson returned to play just a few minutes after leaving the game without putting weight on one of his legs last Sunday.

Patrik Laine only missed two or three months of action when we all pretty much thought his season was over.

But if Markstrom doesn’t have the same luck as Laine and Anderson — remember Carey Price when we were told that some knee injuries were manageable for a forward but not for a goaltender — there is one organization that could benefit. And I’m talking about the Montreal Canadiens!

No, I’m not one of those who thinks we could get Simon Nemec in return for Cayden Primeau…

I’ll explain myself. When Kent Hughes sent Jake Allen to New Jersey a year ago, he did so in return for a third-round pick (2025) which could become a second-round pick if the former Canadiens goaltender plays in 40 regular-season games AND the Devils make the playoffs.

The Devils are going to extend their season…

And Allen, who has played 15 games so far in 2024-25, would need to play 25 of the last 32 games for the Devils for the three picks they will send to the Habs in June to turn into a two.

With Markstrom healthy, forget it.

But if Markstrom has to be out for a few months…

The Devils still have not called up a goaltender from the American League, but many expect to see Nico Daws get a call in the coming hours. Daws is far from being a Vezina Trophy candidate…

Sometimes the misfortune of some brings happiness to others. I feel bad wishing a few months of absence for Markstrom, but if that ever happens, I will tell myself that at least it could positively affect my team: the Montreal Canadiens. Let’s remember that CH already has two first-round picks and two second-round picks.

It should be noted that with Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark possibly sidelined, the Swedish team might face a problem in goal during the Four Nations tournament.

Not to mention that William Karlsson might also have to miss the tournament…

In Brief

– Gavino and I took a look at the hot topics surrounding CF Montreal. Happy watching!

– The race in the East is tight.

– Attention fans of Victory.

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The Canadiens could wake up in the top 3 of their division tomorrow morning.

Things are going well for the CH, one of the hottest teams in the NHL these days.

The team continues to win, which means that the famous mix from the beginning of the season is truly achieving its purpose. Some mornings, the CH even wakes up in a playoff position.

Is that the case this morning? No. But it’s not a catastrophe either, you know.

(Credit: NHL.com)

But what should be mentioned is that Martin St-Louis’ men (who are in Detroit tonight) could not only wake up in the playoffs tomorrow morning, but they could also wake up ahead of the Lightning, who are not playing tonight.

And Tampa Bay is in third place in the Atlantic Division, sitting above the wild card teams.

In fact, the Canadiens are one point behind Tampa Bay, but the Florida team has a game in hand. Tomorrow morning, the Lightning will have two games in hand over the Canadiens.

If the CH manages to get two points tonight against Detroit (with Samuel Montembeault in net), they will surpass the Lightning in the standings.

(Credit: NHL.com)

However, to be in the top-3 of the division, the team will not only have to win, but also that the Senators (who have exactly the same record as the CH, but are ahead of Montreal in the standings) lose.

It can be in overtime or a shootout, but it cannot be a win.

It should also be noted that tonight, several teams that are in the playoff race against Montreal will be playing. The Senators, Bruins, Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, and Blue Jackets are teams to watch tonight.

Just like the Red Wings… but the CH will have a say in the outcome for the Michigan team.

(Credit: Google)

in brief

– Injury in Vegas.

– Ivan Demidov on the second line.

– Interesting.

– Do you like it?

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Stolen car: Claude Giroux victim for the second time this season

On September 25th, less than four months ago, I wrote a piece titled: Claude Giroux had his car stolen last night. It was his wife who mentioned it on social media.

And today, I could write the same article – except for the “last night” because we don’t know that.

Ryanne Giroux announced, as she did in September, that the family’s car had been stolen again. And even though she wrote “lol” in her message, you can sense she doesn’t find it exactly funny.

The car is a rental car. This means that the family had “the replacement” of their original car stolen, based on what can be understood from the situation.

That’s great.

We know that in the sports world, there is a wave of burglaries in athletes’ homes. And it appears that it also affects cars… but primarily for the Giroux family.

This wave (thefts and burglaries) is so widespread that Patrik Laine’s fiancée is even having nightmares about it.

I wonder how motivated Giroux, who is in the last year of his contract, will be at the idea of leaving Ottawa with his family at the end of the season after two thefts in a row since September. It’s already hard to attract people to Ottawa…

I know it can happen anywhere, but maybe this should be part of their consideration, right?

I also wonder how much NHL players – and players from other NHL teams – are taking additional measures to prevent their car from being stolen.

After all, an NHL player can afford a nice car…

in brief

– Note to self.

– Matt Murray in Toronto.

– Oh really?

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Salary cap: An increase of $17 million by the 27-28 season is possible.

Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

The salary cap for each NHL team is set at $88 million this season.

We know it’s going to increase in the coming years because the league’s revenues are strong right now… But what can we really expect?

If we take Allan Walsh’s words into account, it could really be different starting from the 27-28 season.

The player agent talked about it on his podcast last week, and Elliotte Friedman shared his information in an article.

It is known that the cap could rise by $10 million as early as next season, but the anticipated increase for the 27-28 season… That’s something:

“I’ll tell you right now, the upper limit of the salary cap next year will be $97 million,” adding that it could reach $105 million by 2027-28. – Elliotte Friedman

By 2027, the salary cap could thus increase by $17 million.

That’s a significant amount… Especially since 2027 is only two years away:

Obviously, this would allow teams to spend even more.

Players’ salaries will rise, but teams will have more flexibility to maneuver and sign quality players.

An additional $17 million on the salary cap would be enough to offer a new contract to both Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov, for example…

That said, this would be great news for the league because it would prove that the NHL is healthy. The salary cap, while sometimes disliked for various reasons, would make it cool to build a team with lots of star players… But we can see what is happening in MLB right now.

There is no salary cap in Major League Baseball, which allows some teams to take advantage. Think of the Los Angeles Dodgers, for example… Who were able to sign nearly all the players they wanted this winter.

Dodgers fans are happy. But elsewhere in MLB, fans are not, because watching the Dodgers build a team like that undermines parity across the league.

It’s like it’s the rich against the poor…

All this to say that things are likely to get quite interesting in the NHL soon.

Seeing such an increase in the salary cap would be exciting… And at that level, it will be interesting to see what the plans are for different teams in the league.

In Brief

– Good point.

– YES!

– Well done.

– I like it.

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Power ranking: The Canadiens ranked 14th on the NHL.com list

The Montreal Canadiens will be in action tonight.

The team is in Detroit to face the Red Wings, and the match will be exciting to follow because it will have an impact on the playoff race in the East.

The Wings are also fighting for a spot right now:

(Credit: NHL.com)

The Canadiens will be looking for their third consecutive win, but it goes even further than that.

I should say that the Canadiens are trying to win for the 14th time in their last 18 games… And it makes one realize that recently, things have been going very well for the Montreal team.

The club’s recent successes aren’t going unnoticed, either: yesterday, The Fourth Period released its ranking of the best teams in the NHL, and it was interesting to see that the Canadiens are ranked 10th on that list.

That being said, the NHL also shared its top-16 of the best clubs right now and again, the Habs are included.

The Tricolore is ranked 14th:

I don’t remember the last time I saw the Canadiens featured in a list like the NHL’s and The Fourth Period’s.

And you?

No kidding, this shows one thing: the club is making progress in its rebuilding, and it’s happening faster than one might have imagined originally.

This might be a bad thing in the eyes of some because it would have been nice to snag another good draft pick…but at some point, the club cannot grow in defeat.

The young players will not progress if the club is losing all the time – like in Buffalo or Ottawa, you know – and now, the Canadiens’ players are able to taste success.

It’s good because they will want to find that taste again in the coming years on a more frequent basis.

And ultimately, seeing the Canadiens win is really refreshing because the losses have been (much) more numerous than the wins since the team’s playoff run in the summer of 2021.

In a nutshell

– Thank goodness they are better at hockey!

– He has good stats against the Habs.

– Makes sense.

– Maxime Truman spoke to two new players from CF Montreal today. Here is what you need to know:

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Lane Hutson: Jeff Gorton never believed in the idea of seeing him play in the American League.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Often, a young player must pass through the American League before establishing himself for good in the National League.

We see guys drafted in the first round who play in the AHL, and that doesn’t discredit them.

After all, the goal of teams is to see their young players progress so that they can reach the NHL and stay there.

In Montreal, we see this notably with several young players. Mailloux, Beck, Engström, Roy (to name just a few)… These guys have qualities that could one day be utilized by the Canadiens (or another NHL team), and they are continuing their learning process down there.

There are a few exceptions, however.

In Montreal, there is a 20-year-old who is impressing with the Habs right now, and you will understand that I am talking about Lane Hutson.

That said, before seeing him make the jump to the professionals, we often heard the same phrase regarding the defenseman: “he will need time in the American League to get accustomed to the more physical game… because he is too small.”

This notion never convinced Jeff Gorton… Because Lane Hutson is an extremely talented player, according to the principal interested party (The Sick Podcast – The Eye Test) :

At first, people talked about Laval for Hutson. But I don’t think that was really going to happen. – Jeff Gorton

The Canadiens’ VP took the time to praise his defenseman – and rightly so.

Jeff Gorton also wanted to send a message to Lane Hutson’s detractors by saying that the player “is more than” capable of defending.

He praised Hutson’s defensive play because he puts in the effort to defend well and because he is capable of going into the corner with bigger players and coming out with the puck.

That’s not false!

Hutson deserves to receive accolades because he leads rookies in several different categories. For a defenseman, this is noteworthy:

  • 1st in points (39)
  • 1st in assists (36)
  • 1st in power-play points (16)
  • 1st in ice time (22:36)
  • 1st in blocked shots (64)

The small defenseman has found a way to be excellent even while he is in his first steps in the National League, and that is good news in itself for the Canadiens.

He is already really good at 20 years old… And the beauty of it is that he will continue to improve in the coming years.

Overtime

While we’re talking about Lane Hutson, let’s note that he could break the NHL record for most consecutive games with at least one point by a rookie.

He is tied with Shayne Gostisbehere (9 consecutive games), and by earning a point tonight against the Red Wings, the small defenseman could enter the history of the National League.

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Jeff Gorton: The CH will think about improving the team because the players deserve it.

The leaders of the Canadiens have a plan in mind.

They want to ensure that the team is able to compete long-term in the coming years, and they will not deviate from that plan.

Jeff Gorton said during his appearance on The Sick Podcast – The Eye Test: if you want to see one of the young players who will help the team in the coming years, you will be disappointed because it won’t happen.

However, in the context where the Canadiens are fighting for a playoff spot right now, there is also a chance to see the Canadiens make moves to improve the team.

Because in Jeff Gorton’s eyes, the guys deserve it:

If there’s a possibility to help these guys because they deserve it right now with the way they are playing, we will consider it.

If we can help them, we will evaluate our options. – Jeff Gorton

Jeff Gorton reiterated that the goal of the management is to see the team in the mix by the end of the season.

And to achieve that, the idea of adding a player who can help reach that goal is on the table, according to the comments from the Habs’ VP.

The Canadiens need to keep up their momentum for that to happen, however!

On the other hand, it can also be understood from all of this that the Canadiens do not seem very open to the idea of trading some of their players before the trade deadline.

At least, if the Canadiens are considering the option of seeking help… It would be illogical to believe that the plan is to send important players (Evans, Savard, Armia) elsewhere before March 7.

On the other hand, knowing that Kent Hughes might want to make a move to improve his club if the opportunity arises is still big news in itself.

The Canadiens’ management does not want to rush the rebuilding process because they want to stick to their plan, but it also makes sense to believe that recent successes are slightly changing the game.

This remains to be seen, though. But Jeff Gorton may have just given a hint about the next decisions that will be made by the Canadiens.

In a nutshell

– Will this continue tonight against the Red Wings?

– Good to hear.

– Obviously.

– That’s normal. Poor guy…