Habs Daily: Top 5 Playoff Lessons, Fowler Vs. Primeau

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

Montreal Canadiens News

Even though the Canadiens lost their series versus the Washington Capitals, there was a lot of good revealed throughout the short playoff run. There were also a few clear issues that came to the forefront, including the team’s lack of depth down the middle of the ice. Finding a No.2 centre should be a priority for Kent Hughes and Co. this summer. [Top 5 Lessons The Canadiens Have Learned From The Playoffs]

There’s still very important hockey left to play in the organization, which means all eyes will be on the top team in the AHL, the Laval Rocket. They have the talent to make a healthy run at the Calder Cup, but it remains to be seen which goaltender head coach Pascal Vincent will use now that the playoffs are underway. Cayden Primeau was among the best goalies in the league during the regular season, however, Jacob Fowler represents the future of the franchise. [Canadiens Goalies: The Primeau And Fowler Situation In The AHL]

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery continues to show a significant amount of respect toward Montreal’s first line.  [Capitals Coach Gushes over Hutson, Suzuki Line]

ICYMI: A playoff loss is never easy to accept, but there’s no doubt the Montreal Canadiens are trending in the right direction. Any way you cut it, the future is very bright in Montreal, as well as Laval, where the Calder Cup playoffs are underway. In addition to important AHL hockey, there are a few key dates to keep in mind this summer, including free agency. [The Next Step For The Montreal Canadiens, Important Dates]

Game 2 of Laval’s second-round series versus the Cleveland Monsters is set for 7 pm ET. Laval won the first game 3-2, thanks to a pair of goals by Sean Farrell, not to mention Owen Beck’s first professional playoff goal. Fowler stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced to secure the win, and though Primeau was clearly the go-to netminder throughout the season, there’s a chance the Canadiens pivot, giving Fowler the reins until things go awry. [AHL]