Reality Check in Montreal: What November Taught the Canadiens
After a fast and promising start to the season, the Montreal Canadiens hit a wall in November. The team that opened the year looking like a surprise contender saw its momentum stall as defensive issues, key injuries, and a sudden lack of late-game magic sent them sliding down the standings.
November didn’t sink Montreal’s season, but it did reveal cracks that can’t be ignored. Let’s break down what went wrong-and where the Habs need to go from here.
By the Numbers: A Slippery Slope
Montreal’s 5-5-3 record in November might not look disastrous at first glance, but the underlying numbers tell a different story. The Canadiens gave up 52 goals in 13 games-an average of four per night. That’s a steep drop from the defensive discipline they showed in October, and it’s simply not a formula for sustained success.
To put things in perspective: on November 1, the Habs were 9-3-0, leading the Atlantic Division and sitting fourth overall in the NHL. By December 1, they’d slipped to third in the division and 14th in the league.
It’s not a free fall, but it’s a clear sign that the early-season shine has worn off. The good news?
The foundation isn’t broken beyond repair. The bad news?
It’s definitely cracked.
Defensive Breakdown: The Goals Just Keep Coming
The most glaring issue? Montreal’s defense.
In October, they were giving up three goals per game. In November, that number jumped to four.
That’s a full goal more per night-enough to swing tight games in the wrong direction and put constant pressure on the offense to keep pace.
Goaltending hasn’t helped. Samuel Montembeault has struggled to find his rhythm, and while Jakub Dobeš looked like a revelation early in the season, he came back down to earth in November. That’s not unexpected for a young goalie navigating the NHL grind, but when the defense in front of him is making costly mistakes-missed coverages, turnovers, and soft plays in front of the net-it’s a recipe for trouble.
The Canadiens’ blue line has been stretched thin, and even the forwards have struggled to provide consistent back pressure. That lack of collective defensive effort has been costly. If Montreal wants to stop the bleeding, it has to start with cleaning up their own zone.
Clutch Factor Missing in Action
One of the hallmarks of Montreal’s hot start was their ability to win the close ones. In October, they went a perfect 4-0 in overtime and consistently found ways to claw back into games late. That kind of resilience is what separates playoff teams from the rest of the pack.
But in November, that edge disappeared. The Habs went just 1-3 in games that went beyond regulation and only managed to win two one-goal contests all month. That’s a major shift from the poised, confident group we saw earlier in the year.
Part of that drop-off ties back to the defensive issues-when you’re chasing games or giving up soft goals, your margin for error shrinks. But there’s also a mental side to it.
Confidence matters in tight games, and right now, Montreal’s looks shaken. Rediscovering that late-game swagger will be key if they want to stay in the playoff conversation.
Injuries Taking Their Toll
No team escapes the injury bug, but Montreal got hit particularly hard in November. Losing Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach, Patrik Laine, and Kaiden Guhle for extended stretches took a serious bite out of the lineup. That’s four core players-two up front, one on the back end, and one who’s been a key addition-all sidelined.
For a young team still figuring out its identity, that’s a tough blow. Depth players were thrust into bigger roles, and while some stepped up admirably, the lack of experience showed.
The Canadiens played with heart, but heart alone doesn’t win games in the NHL. Getting healthy-and fast-will be critical moving forward.
What Comes Next?
November served as a wake-up call. But it wasn’t a death sentence.
The Canadiens showed in October that they can hang with anyone when they play structured, confident hockey. The challenge now is to get back to that version of themselves.
That means tightening up defensively, getting more consistent goaltending, and rediscovering the ability to close out tight games. It also means weathering the injury storm without losing their structure or identity.
If the Canadiens can take the lessons from a tough month and apply them, they’ll be stronger for it. November exposed some flaws-but it also offered a roadmap for how to fix them. And if Montreal can make those adjustments, this season could still hold something special.