Here’s a bold statement: the Montreal Canadiens are in the midst of a storm, and it’s not just the weather that’s stormy—it’s their decision-making on the ice. But here’s where it gets controversial: is it the players’ lack of confidence or the goalies’ shaky performance that’s sinking the ship? Let’s dive into the highlights of their 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets and unpack the drama.
The Canadiens rolled into Columbus on Monday night, facing a Blue Jackets team that always brings their A-game when the Habs are in town. Shockingly, the Canadiens started slow—almost as if they were still on the bus. And this is the part most people miss: despite the sluggish start, Lane Hutson, the reigning Calder Trophy winner, single-handedly salvaged a point with a heroic third-period performance. But was it enough to turn the tide?
When it rains, it pours, and right now, the Canadiens are drowning in a deluge of poor decisions. Take Zach Werenski’s opening goal, for instance. The Canadiens’ defense parted like the Red Sea, leaving fans wondering if Moses himself could’ve done better. It’s a recurring theme this season—mistakes that make life far too easy for their opponents.
However, there’s a silver lining in this cloudy performance. The newly formed line of Oliver Kapanen, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov showed glimpses of promise. While they didn’t dominate play at 5v5, Kapanen scored his seventh goal of the season, proving that even in a slump, scoring plays matter. Bold statement alert: Kapanen’s inflated shooting percentage will eventually drop, but his knack for being in the right place at the right time is undeniable. He’s exploiting open ice in high-danger areas, and that’s something to build on.
From a 5v5 perspective, the Canadiens weren’t terrible. They controlled roughly half the shots and scoring chances in regulation. But confidence—or the lack thereof—was the elephant in the room. Here’s a thought-provoking question: Is there a link between the goalies’ shaky confidence and the skaters’ nervous grip on their sticks? Right now, the Habs have two goalies lacking confidence and 20 skaters so tense they could start a toothpick company with their stick grips.
Amid the chaos, Lane Hutson found another gear—impressive, considering he already outworks most opponents. Josh Anderson’s third goal of the season gave the Canadiens a much-needed jolt in the third period, cutting the Blue Jackets’ lead to 3-2. But Hutson wasn’t done. With just 1:19 left in the third, he scored the game-tying goal, cementing his status as the go-to player in clutch moments. Slafkovsky’s Clifford the Big Red Dog-like presence screened Jet Greaves, sending the game to overtime for the eighth time this season.
Unfortunately, the shootout didn’t go the Canadiens’ way, and the Blue Jackets secured the 4-3 win. Controversial take: Was it the players’ fault, or did the goalies let them down? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Martin St-Louis shook things up with new line combinations, a logical move after three straight losses. Slafkovsky joined Kapanen and Demidov, while Zachary Bolduc was promoted to the first line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. It’s too early to judge, but the new lines struggled to control shots at 5v5. Chemistry takes time, but Joshua Roy seemed to click instantly with Jake Evans and Josh Anderson, controlling over 93% of the shots (14-1) while on the ice. But here’s the kicker: the only play anyone will remember is Roy’s less-than-stellar puck management.
The Canadiens are back in action on Thursday against the Washington Capitals at 7 pm ET. Will they turn things around? Only time will tell. Final question for you: What’s the biggest issue plaguing the Canadiens right now—confidence, goaltending, or decision-making? Sound off below!
