The profile of CH with Laine and Carrier is worthy of that of a champion team.

Dose
Crédit: Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images

If the Canadiens win tonight against the Canucks, they won’t just be in the mix; they’ll be firmly in the top eight of the Eastern Conference, putting them in the playoff picture.

Who would have believed it just a few weeks ago?

The CH has a record of 18-18-3 since the start of the season, giving them 39 points in 39 games. Will they finish the first half of their season above .500?

What could explain this Montreal resurrection?

1. Patrik Laine, who brought energy and hope to everyone during training camp, greatly affected the morale of the Montreal troops when he got injured.

Since December 3, the date of Patrik Laine’s first game, the CH has a record of 10-5-0, which is the fifth-best in the entire NHL.

However, if we remove the two games Laine missed last weekend (flu) and the one he played for a third (Columbus), the CH is even stronger: 9-3-0.

In short, Patrik Laine makes the Canadiens win; it’s proven.

And recently, he even found a way to produce at even strength – not just on power play – and to revive Kirby Dach!

Dach and the Montreal power play simply aren’t the same without Laine…

The Canadiens have not been the same since Patrik Laine has been in uniform.
(Credit: Getty Images)

2. Alexandre Carrier has come to stabilize a defense that seemed unsure how to play the man-to-man system required by Martin St-Louis and Stéphane Robidas.

His arrival – and Justin Barron’s departure (who is struggling in Nashville) – have ensured that everyone finds themselves in a role suited for them at the moment.

Since Carrier became a Hab, the Canadiens have won no less than six of their eight games, scoring 28 goals and allowing only 18. The CH is scoring more goals than before… and on top of that, they’re playing better defensively. They are more structured, resulting in more shots taken and fewer shots allowed.

Carrier, known primarily for his defensive play, has even managed to get four assists in eight games.

This is what it means to be a Quebecer wanting to play in Quebec! It reminds others, without having to say it directly, how special it is to play for the Montreal Canadiens.

3. Jakub Dobes has transformed the situation in front of the net for the Habs.

We went from a team that had to play Samuel Montembeault in almost every game because his backup was not/anymore NHL caliber to a team that has a number two who seriously challenges the number one spot of Samuel Montembeault.

Night and day!

Dobes blanked the Panthers, then defeated the Avalanche on their home ice in a shootout, allowing only one small goal against Nathan MacKinnon and his crew.

I know the sample size is small, but Dobes has a goals-against average of 0.48 and a save percentage of .982 this season in the NHL. I can’t wait to see him play another game…

Why didn’t he get recalled earlier, though? Especially since the Canadiens’ management has been toying with the idea of recalling him for quite some time…

Dobes has everything to succeed: talent, size, technique, attitude, work ethic, etc. Let’s not put too much pressure on him, but let’s still believe in him.

Reminder: as early as September, people close to the Rocket and the Canadiens were telling me that Dobes might be the future #1 goalie for the organization and that he should be given a chance with the big club. #DoneDeal

Overtime

– Of course, there’s also the awakening of Kirby Dach (and Alex Newhook), the consistency of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Lane Hutson, the incredible season of Jake Evans, the effectiveness of Joel Armia, the surprise of Emil Heineman, and the brilliance of Samuel Montembeault that explains the good position the team is currently in.

In short, success is a team effort for the Montrealers.

Juraj Slafkovsky will need to wake up as well because what he has shown us on the ice is concerning.

Fatigue, lack of vigor, slow decision-making, lack of crunch on his skates, not-so-quick hands…

Let’s remember that Slafkovsky is a first overall pick and that he will earn an average of $7.6 million per year starting next fall… with only $10 million in real cash in 2025-26!

– Tonight’s game against the Canucks won’t be easy. Even if the Canucks will be missing some important players, the Montreal players will have heavy legs, having played and traveled quite intensely lately. And the first home game following a long trip is always quite difficult…

However, it will be a first game at the Bell Centre in 2025 and a first in front of the team’s fans in two and a half weeks…

And the team won’t have any other games until next weekend!

It’s time for the CH – which has only won 10 of its 19 games played at the Bell Centre this season – to make its arena a fortress and a hostile place for the opponent.

At least, they will likely be able to count on the return of Patrik Laine…