Canadiens Climbing: Laval’s Surge, Montembeault’s Moment, and a Potential Playoff Throwback
There’s a quiet confidence building in Montreal, and it’s not just about the Canadiens’ steady rise in the standings. From the NHL club down to their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, there’s a sense of momentum - and more importantly, structure - taking shape across the organization.
Let’s start in Laval, where head coach Pascal Vincent is putting his experience to work. Having coached at both the NHL and AHL levels, Vincent brings a toolbox full of lessons into his current role.
That blend of big-league perspective and developmental know-how is paying off, especially in games like Friday night’s comeback win over the Cleveland Monsters. Joshua Roy lit the lamp twice, while Florian Xhekaj chipped in three points, showing that Laval isn’t just developing talent - it’s producing results.
Behind the scenes, the Rocket made a key addition by hiring Ilia Ejov as their new goaltending coach. It’s a move that signals a continued investment in the pipeline, especially between the pipes - a position that’s always under the microscope in Montreal.
Speaking of goaltending, all eyes are on Samuel Montembeault. Coming out of the Olympics, he’s the player the Canadiens need to see take the next step.
There’s no sugarcoating it - if Montreal wants to keep climbing, Montembeault has to be sharper, more consistent, and ready to carry the load down the stretch. He’s shown flashes, but now it’s about stringing together performances that can anchor a playoff push.
And speaking of that push - since the 4 Nations Face-Off, only four teams have picked up more points than the Canadiens. That’s not a fluke.
In a season where several teams have ridden long winning streaks to success, Montreal has taken a different path: consistency. They haven’t needed a 10-game heater to stay in the mix.
Instead, they’ve been stacking wins, staying competitive, and finding ways to grab points night in and night out.
If the season ended today, Montreal would be set to face Detroit in the playoffs - a matchup we haven’t seen since 1978. That’s a long wait, and while there’s still a lot of hockey left to be played, the idea of a Canadiens-Red Wings series has a certain old-school charm to it. Two Original Six teams, both with something to prove, could make for a throwback battle with modern stakes.
Elsewhere around the league, there’s no shortage of storylines making waves. Gavin McKenna’s legal situation took a turn, with the felony charge dropped and only a misdemeanor remaining. In Los Angeles, Artemiy Panarin reportedly made it clear he’d only accept a trade to the Kings - giving L.A. plenty of leverage in any potential deal.
Pittsburgh’s Caleb Jones has been suspended 20 games for violating the NHL’s performance-enhancing substances policy - a major blow for the Penguins’ blue line. Meanwhile, Florida’s season is raising eyebrows. Is this just a rough patch, or are the Panthers starting to slide into a longer-term decline?
On the Olympic front, NHL players are weighing in on the hypothetical: if Russia had a team in the Games, they believe it would be good enough to claim bronze. That’s a telling statement about the depth of Russian talent - even if we won’t see them on the Olympic stage this time around.
And yes, hockey has now been part of the Winter Olympics for 106 years. That’s a century-plus of frozen history, and the sport continues to evolve on the world stage.
Back in the NHL, Matt Boldy’s standout performance against Nashville earned him first star of the week honors. Meanwhile, Curtis Douglas was fined for being the aggressor in a scrap with Niko Mikkola during the latest chapter of the Battle of Florida. And Michael McCarron was also fined - this time for slashing Trevor van Riemsdyk.
Closer to home, Phillip Danault offered a fun look into his stick-taping routine - a small detail, sure, but one that speaks to the rituals and quirks that make hockey players who they are.
And finally, a look at the top 10 active players who’ve had the most success against the Canadiens is making the rounds. It’s the kind of list that fans love to debate, especially when it includes names that have haunted Montreal over the years.
All in all, the Canadiens are trending in the right direction. From Laval’s development wins to Montreal’s steady climb, there’s a growing sense that this organization is building something sustainable. And if Montembeault can take that next step, the ceiling might be even higher than expected.