Canadiens Postgame
Habs Highlights: Caufield, Laine, Slafkovsky Shine In Important Win
The Montreal Canadiens hosted the Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre on Saturday night, a crucial game when it comes to the playoff situation.
It was the first of three games against the Panthers to close out the season, and given there’s really no margin for error left for the team’s playoff hopes, the Habs have no choice but to beat the reigning Stanley Cup champions multiple times.
That’s much easier said than done, but thanks to goals from Patrik Laine, Cole Caufield, and Christian Dvorak, the Canadiens emerged with a very important 3-1 win. It was a low-event game, with the Panthers holding a slight edge in shots at 5v5, and the Habs holding an advantage in high-danger scoring chances (9-7).
In other words, the Panthers had the quantity, but the Habs had the quality, and in the NHL, the latter often trumps the former.
That’s not to say Samuel Montembeault did not do his part. The Canadiens starter stopped 19 of the 20 shots sent his way to secure his 24th win of the year.
This save is called the ‘catch and plop’. Good work by Samuel Montembeault. pic.twitter.com/b6W9dp3Ua2
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) March 16, 2025
Let’s dive into the highlights!
Lane Finds Shooting Lane For Laine’s Shot
The oft-maligned Patrik Laine got the party started a little over five minutes into the first period. As per tradition, Lane Hutson did everything necessary to create an abundance of time and space on the powerplay, and as per tradition, Laine did not squander his scoring opportunity. It wasn’t a one-timer, Laine’s favourite weapon, but it was still a hell of a release.
Perhaps the recent production from Laine will be enough to calm some of the contrived criticism sent his way in recent weeks. We all know 5v5 is an issue, but there’s also no doubt Laine’s powerplay goals have lifted the Canadiens when they have needed it most.
La deuxième tentative est la bonne!
Second time’s a charm!
#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/FC31zY3xqW— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 15, 2025
Cole Caufield doubled the Canadiens’ lead later in the first period, though we do have to give credit to Juraj Slafkovsky for his quick thinking once a loose puck found its way to his stick blade.
I’m not sure Slafkovsky would have made a quick and accurate pass in previous seasons, or even earlier this year, but he’s clearly in the zone at the moment. Most of the attention is being give to Caufield and Nick Suzuki, but I’d argue it’s Slafkovsky who has really found a new gear, while his linemates are simply continuing their strong play from earlier in the season.
Either way, the first line is producing at 5v5, and that’s great news, because the other lines are not.
The goal was also noteworthy since it was Caufield’s 33rd of the year, thus setting a new career high. In fact, he’s going to set a new career high every time he scores a goal between now and the end of the year, which is a fairly encouraging sign when you consider some were concerned that he would never regain his form following his shoulder injury.
CAUFIEL33 🚨
#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/rXt2nYRNUE— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 15, 2025
Tertiary Scoring? In This Economy?
The Canadiens finally received a 5v5 goal from a line that does not feature Slafkovsky, Caufield, and Suzuki!
David Savard’s point shot was tipped by Christian Dvorak midway through the third period, giving the Canadiens a very comfortable two-goal lead, not to mention a little momentum. At that point in the game, the Panthers had started to take over, putting even more importance on Dvorak’s rare offensive contribution.
Dvo-100 😎#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/fDaTFXxCdK
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 16, 2025
The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Tuesday. They will host the Ottawa Senators, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.
All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick.
What an atmosphere tonight. The NHL is a better place when we’re in the playoffs. Man, the next game against Ottawa is gonna be a war! Can’t wait!!!
There’s something special when the snow starts to melt in Montreal and playoff hockey is potentially on the menu.
You could feel the buzz on the subway today. Everyone had their jerseys on, and that after the Bell Centre stop.
Btw, bravo for having this article up the second the game ended. Hats off to you my friend. 👌
I know, Panthers were without Tkachuk and Ekblad. And they were a give-away machine tonight. But the hockey gods don’t allow excuses, and most of those give aways were caused by Habs players forcing the play. This was as good an effort by the Habs as any this year. And with Ottawa beating the Leafs, it sets up a barn-burner of a confrontation on Tuesday against the Sens. I think it will be a nasty affair.
Final point, anyone notice the Habs top line tonight? Of course you did. In particular, our man Slaf? He is really fulfilling his potential, and I attribute that to his decision to use his body more, when he said he wants to play more “like Brady Tkachuk”. Keep it up kiddo. The sky’s the limit.