Welcome Back to the Canadiens, Phillip Danault
There are moments in a season that feel bigger than others, not because of a goal or a win, but because of who stands in the spotlight. Sunday’s 4–3 overtime win in Dallas over the Stars was one of those nights for the Montréal Canadiens and for one player in particular. Phillip Danault was back in the fold after a few seasons away. And, he looked every inch the veteran the Canadiens hoped they were bringing back.
Danault posted two assists. These were his first points since rejoining the Canadiens after a trade from the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 19. In the process, he surpassed 400 career NHL points. That’s not a number you stumble into. It’s the product of years of steady, responsible hockey — the kind that doesn’t always make the highlight reel but sure shows up in the standings.
Watching Danault on the ice against the Stars, you got the sense that this wasn’t just another game for him. This was a homecoming - even if it was on the road in Texas. He grew up watching Canadiens hockey, he spent his early years in Montréal, and he knows what it means to wear that jersey. To see him win a critical faceoff in overtime that helped spring Lane Hutson for the winner? That was vintage Danault: heads‑up play, reliable under pressure, and making his team better.
Danault Brings Huge Value to His Canadiens
Beyond the milestone and the gritty plays, there’s a deeper value here. Danault brings balance. He’s the kind of centre who steadies a line, who teaches by example. Young players like so many on the Canadiens’ roster are energetic. But, they need voices — and actions — like his in the room. That’s not a small thing for a club that’s still trying to lace together consistency.
And let’s face it: this Canadiens team has had its ups and downs. Yet on Sunday, they showed resilience, coming back, finding answers, and winning in overtime. Danault was in the thick of it all, a reminder that experience matters, especially when the games tighten up and the pressure rises.
So here’s to Phillip Danault — not just for 400 points, but for showing up when it counted, for wearing the Canadiens crest with pride again, and for reminding everyone why his return mattered.