Habs Daily: Suzuki Leads, Canadiens Player Rankings, Dobes

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Friday.

Montreal Canadiens News

Captain Nick Suzuki once again led the charge, scoring yet another game-winning goal in overtime. This time around it was against the Washington Capitals, and it came shortly after a great defensive read by rookie Lane Hutson. Jakub Dobes stood tall, keeping his immaculate NHL record intact with a 15-save effort, but it was Montreal’s staunch defensive play that truly stole the show. [Jake Evans Extension Discussion: Finding Comparable Contracts]

The Montreal Canadiens have played half of their 2024-25 hockey season, and have an over-500 record to show for it. Kent Hughes took some flack earlier in the year for floating the idea that this team could be in the mix for a playoff spot, but as things stand, this team is right on the bubble, looking in. With a sufficient body of work for most Habs players, let’s look back at individual performances and see how they fared in the first 41 games of the season. [Canadiens Analysis: Mid-season Tiered Habs Player Rankings]

ICYMI: Seeing as teams such as the New Jersey Devils are interested in trading for Jake Evans, and the Habs have also expressed their interest in a contract extension, it’s time to take a look at some comparable deals that could serve as a baseline for negotiations with the impending free agent.  There’s no way to avoid it, his shooting percentage will lead to a big raise this summer, and that’s a risky proposal for a team offering a long-term deal. [Jake Evans Extension Discussion: Finding Comparable Contracts]

I learned to skate by latching onto my older cousin’s legs, but I get the sense Carey Price’s technique is a little more refined.

Carey Price teaching his son how to skate ♥️ pic.twitter.com/suRMdwx9tv

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 11, 2025

This is very rare. Jared Davidson actually scored on a one-timer. And by rare, I actually mean incredibly common, because all Davidson does is smash high-velocity one-timers toward unassuming goaltenders. That, my friends, is high-level hockey entertainment.

Davidson enjoyed the first three-point game of his AHL career as the Laval Rocket steamrolled the Cleveland Monsters 5-0. Cayden Primeau made 16 saves to record his 12th career shutout.