Habs Daily: Caufield’s Reaction, Laine Potential, Kapanen, Mesar

Make sure to check out the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on the weekend.

Montreal Canadiens

Sniper Cole Caufield did not want to spend much time discussing the snub from Team USA for the upcoming 4 Nations Faceoff. He preferred to take the high road when questioned. Caufield leads all American players in goals scored this season, with 17. His closest competition from a countryman is Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor, who has scored two fewer goals in one additional game.

The snub could serve as motivation for the 23-year-old forward down the stretch of the season, as he’ll be hungry to prove he can sustain his excellent scoring rate. It won’t be easy, but an uptick in shot production would help mitigate the inevitable regression in his shooting percentage, which is currently 22.4 percent in all situations.

Reporter: “Is there some disappointment on not being on the US 🇺🇸 team?”

Cole Caufield: “I mean honestly it’s been a couple of days, I’m kinda over it. I’m just gonna keep working, it doesn’t change much for me. I’ll still be cheering them on too.” pic.twitter.com/A9bdY2AI0Y

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 8, 2024

Patrik Laine scored twice in as many games while making his Canadiens debut, and while his powerplay prowess was on full display, the impact he made while the team is on the man-advantage has been quite significant from a statistical standpoint. Even-strength play is another matter, but that was to be expected when we consider he missed a year’s worth of hockey. [Top 3 Things To Expect With Patrik Laine In The Canadiens Lineup]

The Canadiens were attempting to put together their first three-game win streak of the season, but a solid effort versus the Washington Capitals was stymied by goaltender Logan Thompson, leading to a 4-2 loss for Martin St-Louis’ troops. The good news is that Alex Newhook looked pretty good on the top line, a necessary step if he’s to become a key player for the Habs. [Habs Highlights: Caufield Scores Again, Thompson Frustrates]

Prospect Filip Mesar scored five points in five games to open his rookie season in the AHL, but has been kept out of the lineup ever since due to a lower-body injury. Mesar was spotted practising with Paul Byron on Friday, connoting a potential return to play in the relatively near future.

L’homme en haut, c’est Paul Byron.
L’homme en bas, c’est Filip Mesar.

L’attaquant slovaque vient de recommencer à patiner en solitaire et progresse tranquillement vers un retour au jeu avec le Rocket. pic.twitter.com/TM9m08pyGD

— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) December 6, 2024

Top prospect Owen Beck had a hell of a week in the AHL. He opened it up with a goal on Wednesday versus Syracuse, following it up with yet another goal on Friday against the team’s rival, the Toronto Marlies. Unfortunately, the Rocket lost Friday’s game 3-2, but they quickly bounced back on Saturday afternoon thanks to a three-point effort from Beck, who now leads the Rocket in scoring. The game-winning goal came with less than 20 seconds on the clock, though it was far from the first time we’ve watched Beck steal the show during a big moment, as evidenced by his MVP performance at the Memorial Cup last summer.

With the five-point week in the bank, Beck now has seven goals and 13 assists in 23 games, which pro-rates to a 22-goal, 41-assist, 72-game rookie season. Consistency is always key in the professional setting, but given that Beck has quickly adapted to every major change in his career, there’s a healthy chance the best is yet to come.

#GoHabsGo prospect Owen Beck scores with less than 20 seconds left in the game, securing the win for the Laval Rocket over their rivals, the Marlies.

It was his third point of the game. pic.twitter.com/r5kRBGuBP9

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 7, 2024

Oliver Kapanen also enjoyed a solid weekend. He scored his first goal of the season against Brynas, following it up with a two-goal effort against Lulea. The Finn now has three goals and five assists in nine games since the Canadiens loaned him to Timra.

ICYMI: The Habs made a trade on Friday, though it seems like they were probably forced into it, as prospect Jacob Perreault was not happy with his situation, which involved an assignment to the ECHL. Kent Hughes sent Perreault to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer. [Montreal Canadiens Make Minor Trade With The Oilers]

National Hockey Now Network

On Saturday night, Paul Maurice became the winningest coach in Florida Panthers history in a 3-1 win against the San Jose Sharks. [Florida Panthers]

Losing by one goal for the fifth straight game, the Detroit Red Wings were schooled by the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. [Detroit Red Wings]

The Avalanche’s newest goalie, Scott Wedgewood, made 25 saves against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday to lead them to a 4-0 victory. It’s the first shutout for any of Colorado’s netminders this season, and comes in just his second start since being acquired. [Colorado Avalanche]