Habs Daily: Roy Recalled, Canadiens Playoff Chances, Measles

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

Montreal Canadiens News

The Habs decided to recall Joshua Roy from the Laval Rocket, while simultaneously re-assigning Owen Beck to the AHL. Say what you will about Beck’s well-rounded game, this is a move that screams ‘offence wanted’. Roy recently scored his 20th goal of the year, the first member of the Rocket to do so this season. His game-winning goal on Saturday ensured the Rocket maintained the top spot in the league.

For what it’s worth, Beck ended up controlling 53 percent of the expected goals during his time with the Habs, which is fairly impressive when we consider he was most often used with Patrik Laine and David Savard, two players who tend to struggle at 5v5. That being said, the Habs are entering Hail Mary territory, which explains why they wanted to give Roy another look. The Habs need goals, and they need them immediately. As in, a few seconds after puck drop tonight versus the Canucks.

The biggest issue now that Beck is no long in the NHL is the glaring hole at centre. The team was already barely treading water with Beck centring Alex Newhook and Patrik Laine, and we all know Newhook struggles when he’s tasked with playing down the middle of the ice.

So, about it being Hail Mary time.

There are 19 games left on the docket, and the Canadiens can’t afford to leave any points on the table. Simply put, the playoffs will be difficult, even if the team manages to find another gear.

The Habs have key matchups against the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators, which will go a long way in deciding their fate. The good news is  that the Eastern Conference is a bit of a mess, opening a tiny crack in a window the Canadiens will have no choice but to exploit. [Canadiens Playoff Hopes: Honest Analysis Of Montreal’s Chances]

There was a confirmed case of measles at the Bell Centre. The measles exposure took place on March 3, as the Canadiens faced the Buffalo Sabres. Anyone present at the Bell Centre should monitor themselves for symptoms, especially those who were located in the red sections 111-117.

The symptoms usually take 10–14 days to appear following exposure, and include a dry cough, a fever, and rashes. Also, please get vaccinated if you have not had the chance to do so. This is a dangerous disease, and we know how to prevent it, but it takes a small dose of civic responsibility from everyone. [City News]

Carey Price decided to make his way to Alberta to watch his teammates practice. Okay, I know they’re not technically current Montreal Canadiens teammates, since they aren’t going to play on the same team, but they are teammates, because they technically play for the same team. I’m glad I could clear that up for everyone.

Let’s call it a teammate-consulting position.

Carey Price ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/cTPewCmesN

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) March 10, 2025

Oliver Kapanen continues to enjoy a great season in the SHL. The 21-year-old prospect had a two-point effort against Modo, which I missed on Saturday. My apologies.

National Hockey Now Network

By the 3 p.m. buzzer Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins were not a fundamentally different team. Still, the cache of draft picks and potential is now overflowing general manager Kyle Dubas’s top drawer. [Pittsburgh Penguins]

The Florida Panthers will be without top defenceman Aaron Ekblad for the remainder of the regular season after he was suspended by the NHL for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. [Florida Panthers]

One of the biggest takeaway’s from the New Jersey Devils’ trade deadline was some housekeeping. The Devils inked former Hab Johnathan Kovacevic to a five-year extension, locking up the 27-year-old defenceman long-term. As a result, Devils top prospects Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey see their Devils future in question. [New Jersey Devils]