Chris Kreider didn’t spend much time on the noise from the Bell Centre. When he spoke for the first time after being booed by Canadiens fans during the home opener earlier this week, the veteran kept the focus where he wanted it: on the hockey.
His comments centered on the loss to Nashville, and Kreider made it clear what he thinks the Canadiens need to keep doing. He pointed to staying aggressive on the forecheck and winning puck battles deep in the offensive zone, while also noting the team’s adjustments and the way the second period looked, or at least the approach in that stretch.
Kreider, 35, has four points in four games and sits second among Canadiens forwards behind Nick Suzuki. With a $2.15 million cap hit, he’s producing early. Against Nashville on Thursday, he played just under 15 minutes, didn’t record a shot on goal, and had a goal wiped out when Nashville challenged for offside.
That lines up with what the rest of the room has been saying. Suzuki also felt the Canadiens controlled the game but didn’t finish enough of their chances, even though they outshot Nashville 34-18.
Kreider also touched on the bigger picture, including Kaiden Guhle’s return to the lineup and the decision to give Jacob Fowler another start tonight.
"Guhle's obviously been working super hard to come back. I've played against him plenty.
I know what he brings. I'm really excited to play with him...
He (Fowler) made some massive saves to keep that game where it was, and, yeah, I mean, I think we're pretty lucky with the goaltending that we have here.
If we stick with the same process, things should go well for us most nights."
For a player who’d rather talk about structure, puck battles and goaltending than the reception he got from the crowd, Kreider sent the right message.
In Other News...
Adam Engstrom Just Gave Canadiens A Tough Blue Line Decision
Adam Engstroms season debut for Montreal came in a 5-2 loss to Nashville, but the rookie defenseman still gave the Canadiens something to think about on a night when their blue line was under the microscope. He skated just under 12 minutes and was not on the ice for any goals against, and his work helped steady a third pairing that had looked shakier in previous games.
Engstrom also stood out in a quieter way by leading Montreal defensemen in turnovers, though none of them turned into dangerous chances for the Predators. For a team trying to sort out its back end, that kind of performance makes the next lineup decision a little more interesting, especially if the Canadiens are looking for signs that a young defender can handle more responsibility. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Face A Telling Blue Line Decision After Struble Trade
Montreals trade of Jayden Struble looks less like a simple subtraction and more like a sign of where the blue line is headed. The Canadiens still have six defensemen on the roster, but management clearly treated the move as strategic, with defensive reinforcements expected to follow rather than leaving the group thin for long.
The next step is what makes the situation worth watching. Kaiden Guhle is nearing a return, which could handle the open spot right away, while David Reinbacher remains the other major internal option if the club decides it needs a seventh defenseman. For a team trying to balance present needs with longer-term planning, the answer will say plenty about how the Canadiens see their depth chart right now. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Face A Delicate Dylan Larkin Test At Bell Centre
The Bell Centre crowd has a way of turning routine visits into something a little more complicated, and Dylan Larkins next trip to Montreal is already carrying an extra layer of intrigue. The Red Wings captain is off to a steady start with two points in two games this season, and with an $8.7 million cap hit, he remains the kind of player who draws attention wherever he goes.
What makes this one stand out is the backdrop around his arrival, which has turned the Canadiens home date into more than just another test on the schedule. TVA Sports reporter Anthony Martineau noted the growing conversation around how Larkin might be received in Canada, and whether the atmosphere inside the building could end up mattering beyond one night at the rink. [Read more 🡒]