The Montreal Canadiens faced a tough challenge against the Buffalo Sabres, resulting in a 5-3 loss, a game that highlighted both the Sabres' recent surge and the Canadiens' areas for improvement.
It's hard to believe that just a month ago, the Canadiens likely didn't anticipate such a difficult matchup against the Sabres. But the Sabres have become the hottest team in the league, boasting an impressive 15 wins in their last 17 games. This resurgence is particularly notable as the Sabres strive to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Imagine the Canadiens, currently in year 15 of their own rebuilding process. Buffalo's victory over Montreal, with a score of 5-3, underscores their playoff aspirations.
Wilde Horses: Shining Stars in the Making
A standout moment in the game was the performance of the 62nd pick in the 2022 draft, who is rapidly becoming a key player. This player is the second-fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 100 assists. Lane Hutson assisted on an Ivan Demidov goal, achieving his 100th assist in just his 132nd game. Only Sergei Zubov reached this milestone faster, needing only 127 games. Even the celebrated Cale Makar took 140 games to reach 100 assists.
Hutson's impact was evident during a Canadiens' two-man advantage against the Sabres. He delivered a skillful pass to Demidov, leading to Demidov's 40th point of the season. Demidov's smart play, giving the puck to the Sabres during a delayed penalty to extend the Canadiens' five-on-three time instead of a six-on-four, further highlighted his game intelligence.
Another highlight was Cole Caufield's impressive shot, which resulted in his 21st goal of the season. He executed a deliberate shot aimed at the pads to capture the rebound, showcasing his strategic approach.
The success of Hutson and Demidov on the first power-play unit continued into the second period. The key was getting shots on net and capitalizing on rebounds. While Hutson's shot might not be feared, the rebounds he creates are definitely a threat, as demonstrated by Suzuki's 15th goal of the season. Caufield also added his second point, and Hutson contributed his second point as well. The power play, which had been struggling, showed improvement, going two for three on the night.
Wilde Goats: Areas for Improvement
The Reverse VH technique, often used by goalies, can sometimes lead to awkward moments. This strategy aims to cover the lower part of the net in close-range situations, where shots are hard to elevate. While it has its advantages, it can look bad when it fails.
During the game, Jacob Fowler was in the Reverse VH when Josh Doan scored from the side. Although it was a great shot, the goalie's positioning didn't look ideal, even though it's how they're trained to handle such situations. It's a technique that takes some getting used to, even for seasoned hockey fans.
Furthermore, the Canadiens' defending on the third Buffalo goal was far from ideal. Tage Thompson moved into the offensive zone, and, inexplicably, Alexandre Carrier and Noah Dobson retreated towards Fowler. This allowed Thompson to pass to Alex Tuch, who scored quickly. Fowler had no chance to react. It was a rare lapse in defense, especially considering their recent performance.
The Sabres' go-ahead goal in the third period was also marked by mistakes. Philip Danault failed to clear the blue line and missed an opportunity to pass to Hutson, resulting in a two-on-one and a quick goal for Tage Thompson. This was the wrong player to give a clear scoring chance.
There was a clear lack of focus in this game. While fatigue often affects the legs, this time, it seemed the players' minds weren't fully engaged.
Another example of this lack of focus was the aggressive penalty kill, which had been successful, but became passive. The Canadiens allowed the Sabres to maintain possession without any challenge.
These errors are part of the 82-game season. The coaching staff will likely address the team's defensive passivity.
Wilde Cards: Looking Ahead
The Canadiens have signed Alexandre Texier to a two-year extension, a testament to his quick and effective performance. Texier's versatility, excelling on the first line and throughout the roster, is highly valued. His contributions alongside Suzuki and Caufield have significantly improved their line's performance.
With Zachary Bolduc, the line had a 52 Expected Goal share. With Texier, the line's share increased to an outstanding 66, comparable to when Slafkovsky was on the line. The Canadiens now have two solid lines that can compete with the league's best.
This signing also hints at the organization's views on its older players. Veterans may not be offered new contracts, and buyouts could be considered.
The Canadiens have several players under contract for the next three seasons: Suzuki, Texier, Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Demidov, Oliver Kapanen, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Bolduc, and Jake Evans—a total of 10 forwards. The club will also need to make room for top prospects Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky, creating a potential lineup of 12 forwards.
After next season, Danault, Josh Anderson, and Brendan Gallagher's contracts expire, creating a surplus of three players. Unless they perform exceptionally well, they might not fit into the team's future plans. It's also expected that Patrik Laine will not be re-signed after this season.
Additional players contributing now, such as Samuel Blais and Joe Veleno, and prospects like Owen Beck, further expand the pool of forwards to 19 players with NHL-level skills. Next season will bring difficult decisions that may not favor veterans, while the following season should be more manageable.
The Texier signing indicates that the youngest team in the NHL is one season away from becoming even younger.
What do you think about the Canadiens' performance and their future prospects? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
