Canadiens Daily
Habs Daily: Playoff Hunt, Scoreboard Watch, Guhle’s Return
Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Wednesday.
Montreal Canadiens News
Martin St-Louis was rather coy when asked about Kaiden Guhle’s potential return. That’s the typical response from St-Louis, which means we can’t read much into his non-answer. At the very least, we know Guhle joined the team for the road trip, which lasts until the March 30 game against the Panthers in Florida, connoting that he should play before the end of the month. As for his place in the lineup, there’s no doubt the Canadiens could use his presence on the backend, but breaking up the Lane Hutson and Jayden Struble pairing would be a mistake. [Canadiens: Guhle Set To Return, Hutson And Struble Thriving]
Reporter: “Is there a chance Kaiden Guhle plays tomorrow?”
Habs coach Marty St. Louis: “I don’t think so. But it could happen, I don’t know.” pic.twitter.com/qJaXJA5MR7
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) March 26, 2025
The Habs are very much in the driver seat when it comes to their playoff destiny, but there are a few issues they’d be wise to rectify in the final stretch of the season. Most notably, it’s clear Samuel Montembeault is exhausted, while backup Jakub Dobes has been used sparingly. The Canadiens will also need offensive contributions from more than just their top line. [NHL Playoffs: 5 Things Canadiens Must Do To Qualify For Playoffs]
Speaking of the playoff race, the Vancouver Canucks faced the New York Islanders on Wednesday, one of the teams currently chasing the Canadiens for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Habs did no favours to the Canucks by losing to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, but the Canucks did manage to pull through for the Canadiens, beating the Islanders 5-2.
Effort, grit, and two more points! #AllTogetherAllIn pic.twitter.com/ZIoCUCSsV0
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 27, 2025
The Montreal Victoire beat out the Minnesota Frost on Wednesday, maintaining their grip on the top spot in the PWHL standings. As for the goalscorers, you’ll be incredibly surprised to hear Marie Philip-Poulin was not among them. Just kidding, she scored two goals to secure the win.
With the 4-1 win, the Victoire are the first PWHL club to clinch a playoff berth.
VITESSE et PRÉCISON ⚡️
SPEED and PRECISION pic.twitter.com/2AxgfiugkH
— Victoire de Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) March 27, 2025
When everyone zigs, Lane Hutson zags. And when everyone decides to undergo a significant dip in results, Hutson once again takes the road less travelled. [Montreal Canadiens Mythbusting: Lane Hutson’s Defensive Impact]
— The Habitant (@the_habitant) March 26, 2025
As we previously discussed, the Canadiens have an advantage when it comes to the remaining strength of schedule, at least compared to the teams chasing them in the playoff race. But with just 12 games left on the docket, every factor will come into play. For example, it would be easier to beat the Florida Panthers twice in a row if Brad Marchand wasn’t part of the equation. Unfortunately, it seems that he’s almost ready to join his Panther teammates. [Updated Canadiens Playoff Odds: Habs Control Their Destiny]
The Habs play Florida on Sunday on the road & again next Tuesday at home.
Looks like the Panthers might have Brad Marchand for those games. https://t.co/m40KUWgGsl
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) March 26, 2025
National Hockey Now Network
The Detroit Red Wings believe, or at least hope, goalie Cam Talbot could be healthy enough to play on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. [Detroit Red Wings]
Just before Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Wild, the Vegas Golden Knights announced that defenceman Shea Theodore had been activated off Injured Reserve. [Vegas Golden Knights]
Brad Marchand was back at practice Wednesday, with Paul Maurice saying his debut with the Florida Panthers is close at hand. [Florida Panthers]
