Every NHL victory is important, especially for the Canadiens, who have managed only seven wins in 19 games so far this season.
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But Habs players have reason to be feeling good about their results as the season reaches the quarter mark, with wins in three of their last four games.
And with all due respect to Columbus, which went into Boston Monday, beat the Bruins and subsequently got head coach Jim Montgomery fired, the Canadiens’ 3-0 win against Edmonton that same night at the Bell Centre probably carries more cachet than their 5-1 victory against the Blue Jackets last Saturday. The Oilers, after all, reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final last season before losing to Florida.
“The win was great. Obviously the result. But to me it’s how we won that galvanized the group,” head coach Martin St. Louis said after Wednesday morning’s practice at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard following Tuesday’s day off. “You look at our second and third period. We were very good in all the things that we talk about and we made it hard for Edmonton to get back in the game.
“To me, it’s how we did it, not so much the result. I feel, right now, we’re in a good place to reinforce the stuff that’s working. We’re not necessarily in collective fixing mode. We’re taking this week trying to help some individuals.”
The Canadiens have a rare five-day break before hosting Vegas Saturday night, with three practices scheduled before meeting the Golden Knights, who won the Cup in 2023 and lead the Pacific Division with an 11-5-2 record prior to Wednesday night’s game at Toronto. Vegas is in Ottawa on Thursday, so might be weary come Saturday, forced to play three matches over four days.
While Montreal’s two-game winning streak is nice, the team hasn’t been able to string three straight victories together this season, making it difficult to determine how close — if at all — the team is to turning the corner in its rebuild.
“It’s hard to say. That’s a good question,” defenceman Mike Matheson said. “I think you have to keep being consistent. Is it a week from now? Two weeks from now? We don’t really know. Or a year from now? Exactly. It depends on how you’re evaluating that, too. If it’s just one specific criteria that’s one thing. If you’re looking at the whole picture, I think you’ll have a better understanding of it.
“You have to follow it up and do it against a team like Vegas on Saturday. I think not looking too far ahead in the future is important. Realizing today we had a good skate and were able to get better. Do the same (Thursday).”
Although the Oilers outshot Montreal 30-27, superstar captain Connor McDavid was limited to one shot and fellow star Leon Draisaitl had only two. Despite playing its second game in as many nights on the road, Edmonton had no trouble with Ottawa on Tuesday, defeating the Senators 5-2. The two players combined for nine shots and three goals in that game.
The Canadiens haven’t allowed more than 30 shots in six consecutive games, so it appears something must be working.
“We’re definitely playing a much better collective game,” Matheson said. “More solid as a group defensively. I feel our offensive game is starting to come as well, without it being at the expense of our defensive game.”
St. Louis stated he’s spending this week working individually with players, hoping to refine their games. While the struggling Kirby Dach undoubtedly is at the top of that list, the coach also spent time at the end of Wednesday’s session with Josh Anderson. It was an obvious teaching moment and St. Louis, as always, was animated with his on-ice gestures.
“Maybe not to get puck-focused, depending on whom you play against,” Anderson explained. “Sometimes when they give-and-go, you get caught in the train tracks. You’re watching the puck and they can jump by you.
“Right now we’re taking it one game at a time and are feeling good about ourselves. We have a lot of confidence right now.”
With four goals and nine points in 19 games this season, the 6-foot-3 226-pound winger appears en route to rebounding from his horrendous 2023-24 campaign, when he slumped to nine goals and 20 points in 78 contests. Anderson also is happy with the performance of his linemates — Brendan Gallagher and Christian Dvorak.
“Personally, and as a line, I think we have a bit more identity playing a five-man game,” he said. “That has helped us out a lot.”
Notes: Gallagher (therapy day) didn’t practise on Wednesday. … Injured forward Patrik Laine (knee) was on the ice before practice and briefly with his teammates.