The Montreal Canadiens have posted a 6-3-0 record through their first nine games. The team heads into Saturday night’s road matchup against Vancouver with momentum building around several key developments.
The season’s still early, but clear patterns are emerging for the 2025-26 Habs.
Top Line Finding Its Rhythm
Montreal’s championship hopes depend on growth throughout the roster. But a few players carry outsized influence on results.
Everything starts with budding superstar Ivan Demidov and the first line.
The importance of captain Nick Suzuki, sniper Cole Caufield, and power forward Juraj Slafkovsky can’t be overstated. Montreal needs dominance from this trio.
Early returns look promising. The Suzuki line has outscored opponents 7-2 in 108 five-on-five minutes.
Their expected goals rate has jumped significantly in the small sample. The trio posted 66% versus 50% in 2024-25, suggesting the lopsided results were earned.
Their styles blend smoothly. Suzuki drives two-way play, Caufield creates and shoots, and Slafkovsky fills gaps as the commanding connective piece.
Most encouragingly, the Suzuki-Caufield duo has delivered in clutch moments twice already. Caufield scored the overtime winner against Seattle last Tuesday, with Suzuki grabbing an assist.
Two days later, Caufield delivered the tying goal in the third period and another in overtime to beat Nashville. Suzuki provided a beautiful assist on the winner.
Caufield’s on pace for 64 goals. This could be his first 40-goal season.
Offensive Attack Reaches New Level
Montreal’s attack was potent last season. It could be lethal this year.
The club’s goals per game average has jumped from 3.0 to 3.6.
Montreal had generated 17.7 quality scoring chances per game entering Friday, according to Sportlogiq. That ranked fifth in the NHL.
Last season, the team recorded 14.3 quality chances per game for a middling 19th-place finish.
The spike in chances stems partly from an emphasis on pushing pace. The Habs trail only Carolina in chances generated off the rush.
Oftentimes it’s a defenseman moving the puck north. Lane Hutson and Mike Matheson have already completed 22 stretch passes each.
The Martin St. Louis-coached squad has maintained possession after gaining the blue line while prioritizing high-danger areas.
Montreal ranks second league-wide in offensive-zone possession time per game and ninth in inner-slot shots. In 2024-25, the team finished 14th in O-zone possession and 30th in inner-slot shots.
Two forwards deserve recognition here. 19-year-old winger Demidov brings patient and precise playmaking off the rush.
22-year-old winger Zack Bolduc shows skill and smarts in prime scoring areas.
Montreal, the youngest team in the league, is filled with players just scratching the surface.
Reality Check Time
The Canadiens seem more dedicated defensively this season. Some relates to the young core maturing, some ties to tactical changes, and some reflects roster turnover.
Making defensive gains was expected.
Now for some cold water on the hot start.
Montreal’s opponents have been fairly weak. Detroit, Chicago, Seattle, Nashville, Buffalo, and Calgary comprised two-thirds of the early schedule.
Each game against playoff-caliber competition has ended in a loss. The Maple Leafs, Rangers, and Oilers all beat Montreal, though two contests were close.
The talent-rich power play ranks tied for 22nd in the league. The well-equipped penalty kill sits 18th.
Both units have been underwhelming.
Goalies Sam Montembeault and Jakub Dobes have combined for a below-average .888 save percentage.
Special teams and goaltending represent yellow flags since the early rankings don’t align with what those units have previously shown.
Here’s a red flag: Thanks to poor second and third periods, the Habs have been involved in six one-goal games.
They’re 4-2-0 in those contests with no shortage of entertaining moments. But scraping by on thrilling wins isn’t sustainable hockey.
Montreal needs to put teams away.
