Habs Highlights: Laine Can’t Stop Scoring, Montembeault Excels

The Montreal Canadiens were back home on Saturday night, facing the Dallas Stars in yet another game against a top NHL team.

Fortunately for the Habs, even if they’re below most of their opponents in the standings, they’re enjoying far and away their best stretch of hockey since the organization started a rebuild a few years ago, including a 3-2 overtime win against the Washington Capitals on Friday night.

The team only arrived back in Montreal in the wee hours of the morning, while the Stars were fresh, and we all know back-to-back games that include travel are always difficult, but the Habs did offer a reasonable effort despite the lack of available energy.

In the end, Jason Robertson’s goal made the difference in the 2-1 shootout loss for the Canadiens.

Let’s dive into the highlights!

Ebbs And Flows

For the first time in a very long time, the Canadiens were outplayed by a significant margin during an entire period, though it must be said the team did compensate for their lack of scoring chances with an uptick in physicality.

Josh Anderson laid out Thomas Harley in the first few minutes of the game, followed by a massive hit by defenceman Arber Xhekaj. Other than perhaps Xhekaj, the Canadiens aren’t overly intimidating from an individual standpoint, but when they work with a wolf pack mentality they do tend to have more successful hunts.

Arber Xhekaj opens the game with a huge hit. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/eFT3zMADbk

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 12, 2025

Laine also got into the action in the second period, as evidenced by his thunderous hit on rookie forward Oskar Bäck. It was quite violent, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a beautiful hit.

Patrik Laine with a big hit on Back. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/9DhYoW9bz8

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 12, 2025

Patrik Play Goal

Hockey is a great sport because it’s orchestrated chaos. Any team can win on any given night, because any player can score on any given shift. The chaos is particularly evident when you consider even the most cutting edge analytics and roster information barely gives you a bump in odds when betting on a game.

But there are some constants, such as Laine scoring when he has plenty of time and space. He now has nine powerplay goals in just 14 games this season.

Everyone, including the Stars, knew Laine was about to score when the Canadiens were given a 5-on-3 powerplay, but that’s the thing with destiny, it tends to neutralize the impact of foresight.

Speaking of constants, both Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson participated in the crucial scoring play.

Welcome back to the lineup, Patrik Laine!

He scored a PPG, shockingly! Suzuki and Hutson with the assists.

1-0 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/XJABVInxLO

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 12, 2025

General Monty

The Habs were the better team in the second period, but Dallas finished the game in the same manner as they started it, which led to a lot of work for Samuel Montembeault. His saves weren’t perfect from a mechanics standpoint, but they were plentiful and well-timed, as he managed to keep his team in the game long enough to secure at least one point.

Dallas eventually won in the shootout, a well-deserved two points for the Western Conference club.

More big saves from Montembeault.

They’re not pretty, but they work. And I can respect that. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/lyrXEEWQm9

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 12, 2025

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Tuesday. They will face the Utah Hockey Club, with the puck drop scheduled for 9 pm ET.

All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick.