Canadiens Getting Healthier, Montembeault Finding His Groove, and Lane Hutson Making History
At practice on Friday, the Montreal Canadiens looked a lot more like the team they envisioned at the start of the season. Kirby Dach, Jake Evans, and Patrik Laine were all back on the ice, healthy and skating, which is a welcome sight for a roster that’s been dealing with its fair share of injuries. Dach’s return, in particular, is significant-his presence down the middle brings size, skill, and much-needed stability to the forward group.
Jake Evans being back could also have a ripple effect on the lineup. With Evans resuming his role on the penalty kill, that should give Nick Suzuki a bit of a breather from those taxing minutes. Suzuki’s been logging heavy ice time in all situations, and freeing him up to focus more on five-on-five play could help unlock even more offensive production from the Canadiens’ captain.
In net, Samuel Montembeault has been quietly stringing together a solid stretch of performances. “I’m capable of having good games consecutively, and I’m trying to maintain that consistency,” Montembeault said.
That’s been the key for him-consistency. He’s shown flashes before, but now he’s starting to put together a run that suggests he might be ready to take on a bigger role in Montreal’s crease.
Meanwhile, goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler has made a strong impression during his 10-game NHL stint. Defenseman Alexandre Carrier praised the young netminder’s poise and work ethic, saying, “He’s a pro with a great attitude and he’ll be back here as soon as he can.” That’s high praise from a veteran, and it speaks to the kind of culture the Canadiens are trying to build-one where young players are not just placeholders but legitimate contributors.
Of course, not everyone’s journey is the same. Kaapo Kähkönen, who’s been holding things down in Laval, admitted to being a bit disappointed when he wasn’t the one called up while Montembeault was struggling.
Still, he’s focused on proving he belongs in the NHL. It’s a competitive crease, and the Canadiens are clearly taking a long look at who fits into their long-term plans.
And then there’s Lane Hutson, who just keeps doing things most defensemen his age only dream about. He became the second-fastest blueliner in NHL history to reach 100 career assists-trailing only Sergei Zubov.
That’s elite company. Hutson’s offensive instincts and vision have been on full display, and he’s quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic young defensemen.
Around the League: Rangers Hit Reset, Lightning Streak Snapped, and More Injury News
The New York Rangers have hit a rough patch-four straight losses have dropped them to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, and now they’re entering what’s being called a “retool.” The first major move?
Artemiy Panarin won’t be getting a contract extension. That’s a big shift for a team that had been built around his offensive firepower.
Elsewhere, the trade rumor mill is heating up. One name to watch: Dougie Hamilton. There’s talk he could be moved before the Olympic break, and if that happens, he’d be a major addition for any contender looking to bolster its blue line.
The Tampa Bay Lightning saw their impressive 11-game winning streak come to an end in a shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues. It was a tight contest, but the Blues found a way to snap Tampa’s run and hand them their first loss in nearly a month.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche finally dropped a game in regulation at home-after 22 games. The Nashville Predators came into Denver and put up a statement 7-3 win. That kind of offensive explosion doesn’t happen often against the Avs on their home ice, so it definitely raised some eyebrows.
The Florida Panthers locked up Uvis Balinskis with a two-year contract extension, continuing their trend of rewarding depth players who’ve stepped up when called upon.
Out west, the Anaheim Ducks made a move, acquiring forward Jeffrey Viel from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a fourth-round pick. Viel adds some grit and energy to a young Ducks team still finding its identity.
Injury news continues to pile up. Leo Carlsson will miss three to five weeks after undergoing a medical procedure, a tough blow for the Ducks as they continue to develop their young core. The Minnesota Wild placed both Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek on Injured Reserve, which could test their depth in the coming weeks.
And in Edmonton, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is set to hit a major milestone on Saturday-his 1,000th game as a member of the Oilers. It’s a testament to his consistency and loyalty, and it’ll be a special night for one of the longest-tenured players in the league.
The second half of the NHL season is shaping up to be full of storylines-injuries, trades, and playoff pushes. And with teams like Montreal getting healthier and young players stepping up, the race is only just beginning.