The Canadiens showed some energy but couldn’t overcome the Jets, losing 4-1 in a tough matchup at the Bell Centre.
Montreal: The Canadiens had a chance to shine after a few days off, but they faced a tough opponent in the Winnipeg Jets. Despite some energy, they ended up losing 4-1.
Head Coach Martin St. Louis made some changes to the defensive pairings, moving Mike Matheson back to his natural left side. This switch broke up a solid pairing with Kaiden Guhle, leaving rookie Lane Hutson to adjust to playing on the right side.
Hutson’s confidence is impressive. In the past, rookies would have been handled with kid gloves, but now he’s getting tough assignments right off the bat. He didn’t score, but he played a key role in the Canadiens’ only goal, showing he can keep up with the big boys.
The chemistry on the top line is something special. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky are really clicking, making it hard for opponents to defend against them. Hutson even had the best Expected Goals share for Montreal, which is a big deal for a rookie.
On the flip side, Matheson has been struggling. He’s a second-pair defender but has been tasked with facing the league’s top players, which is a tough spot for him. It’s clear he needs to be in a role that suits his skills better.
As for the Canadiens’ defense, they might not have two top-pairing defenders right now. They’ve got some promising prospects, like David Reinbacher, who’s recovering from an injury and should be back soon. But they also faced a scare when Guhle went down with a leg injury, leaving fans worried about his status.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens are at a crossroads. With the trade deadline approaching, they need to decide if they’re contenders or pretenders. Management is focused on building for the future, but they also want to support the current team. It’ll be interesting to see what moves they make in the coming weeks.
Overall, the next few games will be crucial for the Canadiens as they navigate their season and aim for a playoff spot.
