This morning I received a call. It was from my friend Tankathon.
Basically, he told me he understood that I talked less about him during the summer, once the draft was over… but he found that I neglected him a little too much this season compared to other campaigns.
So I didn’t have the choice to tell him that this season, apart from the Canadian’s results, I didn’t really have the choice to leave him aside.
The results speak for themselves: if the season ended today, the Canadian would be in line to be drafted 16th overall. Winning the lottery (1.1% chance of doing so) would give Flannel sixth place in the next draft. #Improbable
And all this is because the CH is one point behind the Bruins and last place in the playoffs. CH has a better points percentage than the Bruins, who have two more games on the clock this season.
The fact that the Canadian is the team of the hour in the NHL – let’s not be afraid of words – means that the rise in the standings is simply spectacular. Nothing less.
Let’s say that it was hard to predict such a rise at the beginning of December.
Just yesterday, the Canadian beat one of the good teams in the NHL, the Stars. This was done on the road, without Emil Heineman and with Michael Pezzetta, who is increasingly living on borrowed time.
We wonder if the coach celebrated like this again…
via GIPHY
There is therefore only one logical explanation to talk about the Canadian’s comeback: Martin St-Louis’ beard.
The mix beard, as my father calls it, has been there for a few weeks. And for the past few weeks, the Montreal Canadiens have been winning matches like there was no tomorrow.
Chance? Probably not.
And on that subject, after the 3-1 victory against Dallas, St. Louis was asked if he was superstitious and if he planned to shave soon. And rest assured: no, he doesn’t plan to shave in the short term.
This therefore ensures that the CH is saved.
Note, for what it’s worth, that St-Louis’ beard has the opposite effect to that of Marc Bergevin, who started growing it when things were bad, in 2015-2016.
But hey.
It’s not just the beard that ensures that the Canadian is able to win matches these days. What do I remember from yesterday’s match, which was played in a other time zone, again?
1. Jakub Dobes est and gameras Juraj Slafkovsky said after the match. And clearly, it is difficult to think that the Slovak is wrong since the Canadian’s new #2 goalie is a machine.
Yesterday he only gave one goal. He has averaged less than a goal per game since arriving in the NHL, which means he has increased his average from 0.97 to 0.98. Not bad.
-2. Joel Armia played quite the game. He was involved and with or without a stick, he made his presence felt.
Martin St-Louis often talks about his famous chairs… and right now, it’s crystal clear that Joel Armia is in a chair that was tailor-made for him.
3. Since 2024 made way for 2025, Cole Caufield has scored five times and had four assists. In seven games (including several without Patrik Laine, who is more invisible these days), Caufield has figured out how to get to the next level.
Yesterday, his pass on Juraj Slafkovsky’s goal was… sublime.
Note that during the same period of seven games, captain Nick Suzuki also collected nine points, including seven assists. In 44 games this season, he has 45 points.
He is on pace to get over 82 points in a season. Will he keep up the pace?
4. Even more impressive? Lane Hutson has 10 points in seven games since it’s 2025. He has one goal and nine assists, which places him among the elite in the National Hockey League.
Moreover, since December 1, no NHL defender has more passes than him. He has 20.
For six games (because yes, he has a other streak of at least six games in a row with at least one point per game), Hutson has 10 points and CH has 18 goals. Do the math: it’s useful.
The eye test is confirmed by the stats: it’s not just good, it’s historically good. And we wonder, at this point, if he can break the record of 71 points for a rookie with the Flannel. Kjell Dahlin and Mats Naslund (two attackers) have the record at the moment.
5. Let’s talk about play time for a moment.
Michael Pezzetta (4:31) played little, obviously. Clearly, CH will recall someone tomorrow to take his place (or Emil Heineman’s place) in the lineup, on the fourth line.
Mike Matheson, on the other side of the spectrum, played for 26:57, almost 45% of the game.
We talk a lot less about the Quebecer this season, but his plus-1 differential and his big playing time (on his bad side) alongside Lane Hutson must be highlighted during yesterday’s match.
6. For the past month, in 14 matches, the Canadian has 11 victories and one loss in overtime. We are therefore talking about only two regular defeats, which is notable.
It’s the best team in the league, yes.
prolongation
Today, for the Canadian, it will be a travel day. The club will return to Montreal for the weekend’s games, against the Maple Leafs and the Rangers.
I expect to see a striker called up to send Michael Pezzetta to join Jayden Struble in the stands. Expect to see Samuel Montembeault (Saturday) and Jakub Dobes (Sunday) sharing the work.
