Habs Daily: When To Expect Reinbacher, AHL Playoff Picture

Check out the latest Montreal Canadiens news, highlights, and stories you may have missed during the weekend.

Habs News

• ICYMI: The Montreal Canadiens lost 4-3 to the Washington Capitals on Saturday night, but it was certainly not a poor outing from Martin St-Louis’ troops. The newly formed Joshua Roy, Alex Newhook, and Joel Armia line found their rhythm, while Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield continued their excellent play on the top line. The game also featured a goal from blueliner Arber Xhekaj, who fulfilled his father’s pre-game wish. [Canadiens Xhekaj & Suzuki Star In Hard-Fought Loss Vs. Capitals]

• When will top prospect David Reinbacher make his way to North America? It depends on a few factors in both the National League (NL) and the Swiss League. There are different potential scenarios with various arrival dates. [Canadiens Prospect Reinbacher’s Expected North American Arrival]

• Speaking of top prospects, Boston College goaltender Jacob Fowler continues to lead the NCAA in wins. The 2023 third-round pick won both starts against Massachusetts (U Mass) this weekend. With 22 wins in 28 games, Fowler is quickly approaching a freshman NCAA goaltending record set by a Montreal Canadiens alumnus.

Al Montoya has the All-time NCAA win record for a freshman with 30 wins in 43 games #GoHabsGo    prospect Jacob Fowler now has 22 wins 28 games

Will he set a new record by the end of the 2023-24 season?

— Costa Rontzocos (@Rontzeeez) February 18, 2024

• It was a mixed bag of results for the undermanned Laval Rocket over the weekend. They started on the right foot by beating the Hartford Wolfpack 5-2 on Saturday night, with Jared Davidson registering his first professional hat trick in the big win. The Rocket then lost 6-3 to the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins on Saturday, and 2-1 in overtime to the Bridgeport Islanders on Sunday. With the three points in the bank, the Rocket are still on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture. As a reminder, the top five teams in the North Division will earn a Calder Cup playoff berth.

• Twenty Habs players took to the ice on Sunday for practice, however, the top line of Slafkovsky,  Suzuki, and Caufield took a (well-deserved) therapy day. Defenceman Jordan Harris, who has not played since suffering another injury on February 11, was spotted at practice once again, but he was no longer wearing a no-contact jersey.

• Kirby Dach met with the media on Sunday to discuss the unfortunate injury that has kept him out of action since the second game of the season.

Kirby Dach on being injured for the year after the 2nd game of the season…

👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/KnFmHUOGcL

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) February 18, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

• The New York Islanders lost in overtime to the New York Rangers by a final of 6-5 during their Stadium Series matchup. Brock Nelson, Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee and Alexander Romanov all scored for the Islanders, while Ilya Sorokin made 32 saves on 38 shots. [New York Islanders]

• The Philadelphia Flyers and Owen Tippett dropped their Stadium Series game to Nico Hischier and the New Jersey Devils, 6-3, at MetLife Stadium on Saturday night. [Philadelphia Flyers]

• Sunday afternoon, Jaromir Jagr watched his No. 68 raised to the rafters at PPG Paints Arena, just the third number retired in the 56-year history of the Pittsburgh Penguins. His jersey will hang beside idol and teammate Mario Lemieux as the Penguins and Jagr bring a long relationship that has been all things loving, strained, and wistful to a proper celebration. [Pittsburgh Penguins]