Canadiens Out of Answers vs. Stars at Home
From the Montreal Canadiens’ side of the ice, this one was tough from the opening drop. Dallas arrived rolling, but Montreal made their night far too easy. The result, a 7-0 drubbing, is something that happens sometimes - even to a solid team like the Canadiens.
Jakub Dobes didn’t get much help in front of him — odd-man rushes, late reactions, and loose coverage kept piling up — and before Bell Centre had even settled, the Stars were running away with it. Casey DeSmith didn’t have to steal anything; the Canadiens never really made him uncomfortable. Nick Suzuki said it plainly afterward: This team has lost some bite. Montreal’s forecheck never got humming, and without that pressure game, they just drifted, backing up instead of pushing back.
Newhook’s Injury Was a Second Problem for the Canadiens
The injury to Alex Newhook only deepened the sting. The way Brendan Gallagher talked about him — a young guy who put in the work and was building something pretty special this season — you could feel the air go out of the bench when he went down. By the time Sam Montembeault came in for the third, the night was already lost, and the Canadiens just did what they could to get out clean. These games are part of a long season, but Montreal will want to flush this one out of sight and mind as quickly as possible. They’ve been a competitive group all year, but this stretch of 1-2-2 shows how thin the margin can be when their identity slips out of focus.
Key Points for the Canadiens
First, it’s Keep Pushing for Montreal: Despite the 7-0 shellacking, the Canadiens need to stick to their game plan. They need to remember what’s made them a solid team this season. They’ve been forechecking hard, playing aggressively, and moving the puck. Nick Suzuki’s comments remind us that the foundation is still there; it just needs to be executed more consistently.
Second, Canadiens’ Injury Watch: Alex Newhook leaving the game with that board collision is a real blow. He’s been having a strong season, and losing him—even temporarily—throws another challenge onto Montreal’s already difficult night.
Third, Lessons from the Stars: Dallas’ speed, skill, and opportunistic power play killed the Habs. The Canadiens can learn from their defensive breakdowns tonight. Dobes had little chance on several goals, but the defensive structure and puck management will be the real takeaway for the future.
The Canadiens’ Final Note
Montreal hit a rough patch against a team that’s clicking on all cylinders, and sometimes that’s the way hockey goes. It’s a stinker of a game. Still, some pieces worked at times: Montembeault did what he could in relief, and glimpses of effort and structure remain. The challenge now is to reset quickly, get healthy, and remember that a single stormy night doesn’t erase the strong season the Canadiens have been building.