Connect with us

Canadiens Postgame

Habs Highlights: Gallagher & Suzuki Push Team Closer To Playoffs

Published

1 month ago

on

Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher via screenshot

The Montreal Canadiens hosted the Boston Bruins on Thursday night, looking to solidify their surprise run to the 2024–25 playoffs.

The Habs are in the driver’s seat when it comes to nabbing the final playoff spot, but there’s almost no margin of error left. Simply put, the Canadiens have to treat every game from now to the end of the season as a playoff matchup.

Newcomer Oliver Kapanen did not play, as he needs a little time to process the new playbook. This led to head coach Martin St-Louis running the exact same lineup that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.

The first line was important, as expected, but it was the veterans who drove the charge during Montreal’s exciting 4-1 win.

Let’s dive into the highlights!

Tell Me Something Good

Neither team scored in the first period, but the Habs took control of the flow of the game quickly, as evidenced by their 4-1 advantage in high-danger chances.

However, before Montreal really took control, Samuel Montembeault had to be sharp to avoid yet another early-game deficit.

Jeremy Swayman was busy, and kept Boston in the game via a few highlight-reel plays, including a nice blocker save while the first line continued to relentlessly pressure the Bruins defence.

Best Players Were The Best Players

You’re probably expecting me to discuss a goal from the top line, and yes, that’s coming, but first we have to give the Voltaren line their due. If the Habs are a train, Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak, and Brendan Gallagher are busy shovelling an endless supply of coal into the fire (it’s obviously a steam engine, c’mon!).

Gallagher continues to lead by example, and it’s quite clear that Dvorak and Anderson are following suit. It’s not a glamorous job, but it’s definitely essential.

I Choo, Choo, Choose You!

After the third line opened the scoring, the conductors took over. A smart defensive play by Juraj Slafkovsky led to a quick, controlled zone exit, setting up Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield perfectly for an odd-man rush.

You can guess what happened next.

Caufield reached 35 goals for the first time of his career, while Suzuki became the first Canadiens player to reach 80 points since Joe Malone did it in 1917. Okay, it wasn’t that long ago, but admit it, for a second you were ready to believe it.

Alex Kovalev is the last Hab to hit 80 points, 17 years ago.

17 years.

If the 80-point drought was a person, it would be just a few months away from being legally allowed to buy alcohol in Quebec.

And some wonder why Canadiens fans are so excited now that they’re being treated to a taste of the elite talent that is set to take over the lineup in the next few years.


The Best (Worst) Lead In Hockey

Those of you that follow my Canadiens coverage closely know that I tend to be defensive whenever fans criticize his salary. Yes, he’s overpaid, but you will never convince me that he wasn’t owed a raise after getting paid peanuts to be part of one of the best lines in hockey.

Even if we ignore the yesteryears, he was never as bad as some have recently suggested.

Suzuki is the leader of the Habs, that is uncontested, but every leader needs support. Someone that’s willing to fight in the trenches. Someone that enjoys getting dirty. Someone that never hesitates to do what it takes to succeed.

That’s where Gallagher comes into play.

His 19th goal of the season was probably the lowest amount of energy he’s ever had to spend before finding the back of the net.

The Bruins did ruin Montembeault’s shutout bid, but strong work by Jake Evans led to Suzuki’s 26th goal of the year, an empty-netter.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s happening!

The Montreal Canadiens are back in action on Saturday. They will host the Philadelphia Flyers 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.

Editor’s Note: I foolishly decided to call my telecom company early in the first period, as my internet feed was down, again. It’s an ongoing issue, which is why I should have known the call would last until midway through the third period. I did watch the game, but I didn’t get a chance to start writing until much later than usual. I apologize for the rushed product tonight.

Related Topics:

MHN in your inbox

Enter your email address and get all of our articles sent directly to your inbox

Canadiens Roster & Cap Info