Canadiens Ride Hot Streak into Matchup with Struggling Canucks

The Montreal Canadiens are on fire. After a successful 4-2 road trip and winning seven of their last nine games, they’re playing their best hockey of the season. Now, they’re back home to face the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night, looking to keep their momentum going.

The Canucks? They’re in a rough spot. Inconsistent play, injuries to key players, and scoring issues have left them scrambling for answers. Starting a five-game road trip in Montreal, Vancouver is hoping to hit the reset button.

Canadiens: Confidence is Sky-High

Rolling Right Along

Montreal’s last game was a big one—a gritty 2-1 shootout win over the Colorado Avalanche that snapped Colorado’s six-game winning streak. Forward Cole Caufield summed up the team’s vibe perfectly.

Key Players to Watch

• Cole Caufield: He’s been clutch lately, scoring in three straight games and leading the team with 21 goals.
• Nick Suzuki: The captain has been dishing out helpers left and right, with an assist in each of his last three games. He leads the team in assists (27) and points (38).

• Jakob Dobes: The rookie goalie is making waves, allowing just one goal over his first two NHL starts—including a shutout against Florida.

Goaltending Depth

Montreal’s net is in good hands. Samuel Montembeault has been steady with a 5-2-0 record and a 2.61 goals-against average in his last seven starts. Rookie sensation Jakob Dobes could get his first home start Monday, which would only add to the excitement.

Canucks: Searching for a Spark

Offensive Struggles

Vancouver’s scoring has been ice-cold. They’ve only managed 32 goals in their last 13 games, and Friday’s 3-0 loss to Nashville was their second shutout this season. Forward Kiefer Sherwood put it bluntly:

Key Players to Watch

• Kevin Lankinen: The guy’s been a beast on the road, with an 11-2-1 record and a perfect 10-0-0 start to away games this season—a first in NHL history.
• Quinn Hughes: Despite missing four games, Hughes still leads the Canucks with 42 points (34 assists). If he’s cleared to play, he’ll make an immediate impact.
• Jake DeBrusk: Vancouver’s leading goal-scorer with 16 goals this season.

Injury Updates

The Canucks have been hit hard by injuries to Thatcher Demko (back spasms), Quinn Hughes (upper body), and Elias Pettersson (undisclosed). All three have joined the road trip, but their status for Monday’s game is still up in the air. Hughes and Pettersson practiced Sunday for the first time in weeks, so there’s a chance they’ll suit up.

What to Watch For

1. Canadiens’ Goaltending Showdown

Jakob Dobes could get the nod for his first home start, but even if Montembeault is in net, Montreal’s goaltending has been a major strength.

2. Canucks’ Road Resilience

Vancouver has been much better on the road (11-4-2) than at home. Starting this trip with a strong performance could turn their fortunes around.

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3. The Return of Hughes and Pettersson?

If either—or both—of these stars play, Vancouver’s offense will get a much-needed boost. Their presence would change the dynamic of the game.

What’s the Bottom Line?

This game is a tale of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Canadiens are clicking on all cylinders with balanced scoring and rock-solid goaltending, while the Canucks are fighting to stay afloat amid injuries and scoring droughts.

If Montreal can keep riding this wave of confidence, they’ll be tough to beat. But if Vancouver can finally catch a break with their injured stars returning, this could be the spark they need to turn things around.

It’s all shaping up for an exciting showdown in Montreal.