Habs Highlights: Caufield Sets Career High, Struble Shines

The Montreal Canadiens were hoping to earn their fourth consecutive win as they faced the struggling Sabres in Buffalo.

Rookie netminder Jakub Dobes was given his first start since early February, stopping 24 of the 26 shots sent his way to secure a well-deserved 4-2 win for the Habs.

Let’s dive into the highlights!

Cole Train

An uneventful first period set a sleepy pace to the game, a situation that was only rectified once the puck was dropped for the second period. Cole Caufield opened the scoring with his 29th goal of the year, setting a career high in the process. We also have to send some praise Patrik Laine’s way, as he’s starting find his rhythm from a playmaking standpoint.

That being said, it was great defensive play by Caufield and Lane Hutson that kicked things off, which surely put a smile on Martin St-Louis’ face.

Patrik Laine feeds Cole Caufield for his 29th goal of the year. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Rlw4F1zdlS

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) March 2, 2025

Tis But A Scratch

This may shock you, but Hutson was also directly involved in the second Canadiens goal of the game. We don’t have a metric that establishes how much time and space certain players create on the ice, but if we did, I’m sure Hutson would be among the most dominant defencemen in the offensive zone.

As for the goalscorer, it was great to see Josh Anderson rewarded for his never-ending Monty Python Black Knight skit. He may be bruised, he may be broken, and he may have taken a lot of damage in recent weeks, but it’s just a flesh wound!

Lane Hutson draws ALL the coverage before Christian Dvorak sends the puck to Josh Anderson.

Tie game. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/gjry89kkjw

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) March 2, 2025

Speed Trap

Rather than allowing their opponents to score a morale-destroying goal in the final moments of a period, as is tradition, the Canadiens flipped the script on Saturday night thanks to Alex Newhook’s goal with just three seconds in the second.

The play itself was rather fitting, as two of the team’s fastest players, Newhook and Mike Matheson, put together a rather flashy and expeditious sequence.

A nice pass by Mike Matheson sets up this sweet tip by Alex Newhook. 3-2 #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/l5HD0FeQwv

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) March 2, 2025

Happy Birthday To The Ground!

Now that he’s no longer watching most games from the press box, Jayden Struble’s underlying numbers, which were already quite good, have improved by leaps and bounds. The newly established comfort level has led to an uptick in physical play, always an interesting scenario when we remember Struble’s core strength matches most old-growth oak trees.

Jayden Struble politely reminding everyone he’d rather they not touch his goaltender. pic.twitter.com/SwLF5eZyhd

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) March 2, 2025

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Monday. They will once again face the Buffalo Sabres, however, Monday’s game will take place at the Bell Centre, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.

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