Canadiens Daily
Habs Daily: AHL Dominance, Playoff Results, Lane Hutson
Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Monday.
Montreal Canadiens News
Before we get to the playoff results, we have to send some praise Pascal Vincent’s way. Not only did the new head coach of the Laval Rocket guide his team to the top spot in the AHL standings, he used key prospects in important roles, thus combining winning with development, the perfect situation for any affiliate. Laval will receive a bye into the second round of the playoffs, which means they will face the winners of the Toronto-Cleveland series, but in the meantime they can celebrate the fact that Vincent was named the most outstanding coach in the AHL. [Canadiens News: Pascal Vincent Named Coach Of The Year]
The Washington Capitals started the series on the right foot, dominating the physical battles before establishing a well-deserved 2-0 lead. However, the Canadiens, as per tradition, fought back.
A goal from Cole Caufield lifted the team when it needed it most, giving captain Nick Suzuki a perfect opportunity to tie the game late in the third period. Unfortunately, Alex Ovechkin scored the overtime winner, but all things considered, it wasn’t a terrible game when we consider the discrepancy in the standings between both teams. [Montreal Canadiens Comeback Effort Cut Short By Ovechkin Dominance]
Lane Hutson and Co. did not blame the referees, even if there were ample opportunities to do so. Let’s be honest, poor officiating is a topic for fans, not players. Hutson was quick to point to his own issues against the Capitals.
Lane Hutson tonight after the Habs game 1 OT loss:
“It’s frustrating for sure. I lost my check twice & they scored. It’s something I gotta learn from. It just sucks that it ended that way.” pic.twitter.com/0GbazFV9eE
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 22, 2025
Brendan Gallagher took some lumber to the jaw early in the game, but he was also quick to dismiss any sort of criticism in regard to the calls. Or rather, the lack of calls in some cases.
It’s the playoffs! You know what that means for penalties…
Cross-checks to the face? Meh pic.twitter.com/y4bPPKfKny
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 21, 2025
Monday Playoff Watch
Hopefully you didn’t turn the TV off following Montreal’s loss, because there was some excellent hockey on tap Monday night.
The Winnipeg Jets eked out a 2-1 win versus the St-Louis Blues via a third-period goal from Kyle Connor. The Jets now have a 2-0 series lead over the Blues.
KC LOVES BIG PLAYOFF GOALS 😤 pic.twitter.com/zee3xQNehB
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 22, 2025
The Dallas Stars tied their series versus the Colorado Avalanche thanks to Colin Blackwell’s overtime goal.
IN HIS STARS PLAYOFF DEBUT, PLAY PANTERA FOR COLIN BLACKWELL!!!! pic.twitter.com/PsxM3OaVrc
— X – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 22, 2025
The Edmonton Oilers almost completed an impressive comeback despite some questionable goaltending and defending, but former Hab Phillip Danault scored his second goal of the game in the dying seconds of the third period to secure a 5-4 win for the Los Angeles Kings. It’s worth noting Danault absolutely flubbed the shot, but Stuart Skinner never managed to track it.
PHIL! WARREN! AHHHHH pic.twitter.com/7jZtBpF1dn
— x – LA Kings (@LAKings) April 22, 2025
National Hockey Now Network
It finally happened! Gabriel Landeskog is officially back on the Avalanche’s active roster. [Colorado Avalanche]
The Florida Panthers brought in a known quantity when they traded for Brad Marchand last month. Marchand, who spent all 16 of his NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins before coming to the Panthers at the NHL Trade Deadline, goes into his first postseason wearing something other than black and gold. [Florida Panthers]
Fans of the New Jersey Devils have longed for the day they could see the Hughes brothers play on the same team. The same can be said of Vancouver Canucks fans. Well, on Monday, Canucks President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford, discussed the possibility. [New Jersey Devils]
So Marty was asked why Arber Xhekaj was not used in game one. His smarmy reply? One only a coach like Mary could make. Voila:
“Je ne pense pas que ça changera le style de jeu d’un gars comme Wilson.”
(Translation?: “I don’t think that (Xhekaj’s insertion into the lineup) would change the style of play of a guy like Wilson.”)
That is the answer of a fool. Of course Xhekaj won’t change Wilson’s style of play. But it would make other Cap players think twice. And Arber could make his team-mates feel like they are protected. St. Louis is a fool. But what is even more surprising is that Gorton (who got fired in NY because he assembled a soft team which allowed Wilson to injure Panarin ) hasn’t forced arrogant Marty to get over himself and put Arber in the lineup.
Because if management isn’t going to force Marty’s hand on this issue, then they might as well trade Arber this summer and let him play for a real coach.