A Night of Nearlys for the Canadiens

On a tense Saturday night in Toronto, the Montreal Canadiens faced the Maple Leafs with playoff aspirations hanging by a thread. After a disheartening loss in Ottawa the previous evening, this time the Canadiens were more resolute but ultimately fell short, losing 1-0 in a nail-biting overtime.

Excellent Defense, Stellar Goaltending

The Canadiens showcased a significant improvement on defense, spearheaded by the relentless Jakub Dobes, who turned in a phenomenal performance reminiscent of his early NHL days. Dobes was an absolute wall, making crucial saves, especially during a tense five-on-three power play for the Maple Leafs. His goals saved above expected was an impressive 3.17, underscoring his standout night.

Caufield's Closer Than Ever

Cole Caufield emerged as the offensive dynamo of the evening, looking threatening and hungry for a goal. Each move hinted that he might just be the one to break through the Maple Leafs’ defenses, but despite their best efforts, the Canadiens remained scoreless.

Playoff Path Growing Narrower

Despite the loss, there was a silver lining: the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings were all eliminated from playoff contention. Now, only the Blue Jackets pose a threat to the Canadiens’ spot. Montreal's playoff fate hinges on either securing a win in their final two games or hoping for a Columbus loss in their last three.

Questions About the Game's Code

The classic hockey code is a topic of much debate, especially following Kaiden Guhle’s remarkable legal hits during the match. After decimating John Tavares with a clean check, Guhle was forced to drop the gloves with Max Domi just moments later, raising questions about the cycle of retribution in hockey. Why must a player always be penalized for executing a perfectly good hit? The debate rages on, especially as Guhle deals with a history of concussions—a concerning trend that could jeopardize his future.

Slafkovsky's Path to Greatness

Juraj Slafkovsky finds himself at a crossroads in his career. While showing tremendous growth over his first three years, he faces criticism for occasional reversion to less aggressive play styles. He aspires to emulate physical players like Brady Tkachuk, but his natural skill lies elsewhere. For Slafkovsky to maximize his potential, he must utilize his size effectively around the net, creating chaotic opportunities for scoring rather than sitting on the periphery.

Looking Ahead: Demidov's Debut and Future Games

Fans eagerly awaited Ivan Demidov's debut on North American soil, but Saturday’s optional practice left much to be desired without competitive drills. With the Canadiens facing the Blackhawks next, questions loom about whether Demidov will get the nod without proper preparation. Meanwhile, in Laval, Jacob Fowler made headlines by securing a win in his first pro start, continuing to demonstrate why he was awarded the prestigious Mike Richter Award as college hockey’s best goaltender.

The Canadiens face an uphill battle, but with playoffs still in sight, every game counts as they strive to secure their spot in the postseason.