Over the past calendar year, the Montreal Canadiens have quietly turned into one of the NHL’s most consistent and competitive teams. Since returning from the Four Nations Face-Off break, they've played the equivalent of a full season-82 games-and in that stretch, they’ve performed like a top-five team in the league.
That’s not hyperbole. That’s backed by the standings.
In a city where expectations are sky-high and patience is short, the Canadiens have delivered. Montreal fans demand excellence, and lately, this young core has started to give them just that.
What's especially impressive is how this team is getting it done-not with a roster stacked with veterans, but with one of the youngest lineups in the NHL. That contrast makes their surge all the more compelling.
Youth Leading the Way
At the heart of Montreal’s rise are three names that are quickly becoming synonymous with the franchise’s future: Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson. These aren’t just promising young players-they’re producing at a rate that puts them in elite company.
Let’s look at the numbers over the last 83 games, including their recent matchup against Winnipeg:
- Nick Suzuki: 106 points
- Lane Hutson: 83 points
- Cole Caufield: 78 points, including 43 goals
That’s top-line production across the board. Suzuki has grown into his role as captain, balancing two-way responsibilities with a steady offensive output.
Caufield, with his quick release and nose for the net, continues to be one of the league’s most dangerous young scorers. And Hutson?
He’s doing things from the blue line that we typically see from seasoned, Norris-level defensemen-not rookies.
Also worth noting is Noah Dobson, who wasn’t with the Canadiens at the end of last season but has chipped in 53 points during that same 83-game span. His addition has only strengthened an already potent offensive group, giving Montreal a formidable presence on the back end.
Staying in the Fight
The Canadiens’ resurgence hasn’t happened in a vacuum. The Atlantic Division is a gauntlet-arguably the toughest division in hockey.
There’s no room for a slump. Every point matters, and every game is a battle.
That’s what makes Montreal’s consistency so noteworthy.
After the Four Nations break last season, the Canadiens posted the second-best record in the division. That’s not a fluke. That’s a team figuring out how to win-and doing it against some of the league’s toughest competition.
But here’s the reality: if they want to stay in the playoff mix, they’ll need to maintain that level coming out of the Olympic break. That means their top players have to keep producing.
It means staying healthy. And it means getting reliable goaltending night in and night out.
What Comes Next
The foundation is there. The talent is real.
And the results are starting to match the promise. Montreal isn’t just rebuilding anymore-they’re competing.
And if Suzuki, Caufield, Hutson, and the rest of this young core can keep driving the offense, the Canadiens won’t just be a fun story-they’ll be a legitimate playoff threat.
In a market that demands greatness, this team is starting to look like it might be ready to deliver.