New Canadiens Connection: Chase Milestones

The daily main story at Hockey Hot Stove is powered by Watrhouse Brands, dedicated to quality, consumer education, and awareness: Benevolent Bakery, SoSHEL beverages, and Smokiez vegan fruit chews. Today:  Canadiens milestones.

The Montreal Canadiens are surging at the right time, winning their eighth consecutive game by beating the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night in Newark. With the win, the Canadiens leapfrogged the Buffalo Sabres to move into second place in the Atlantic division. The Habs have just four regulation losses in their past 24 games with a record of 17-4-3.

Before the 2025-26 NHL season started, when looking ahead at this year’s Canadiens team, expectations were rather measured.

There was considerable talk about progress, development, seeing steps forward from the young core, but not necessarily about big numbers or headline-type seasons.
And now, getting into the final regular season stretch, the conversation definitely feels a little unexpected. When you look at the Montreal roster, there are some significant milestones within reach.

Nick Suzuki is pushing towards that 100-point mark, Cole Caufield is knocking on the door of 50 goals, and other young players continuing to take meaningful steps in their development.

While this isn’t a team that’s suddenly become a contender overnight, there are some real signs here, both in production and in growth, that suggest something important is taking shape. It also presents a good opportunity to compare what experts thought the season might look like back in October to what it’s actually become.

This Week’s Show

On this week’s episode of the Canadiens Connection podcast, we examine the milestones that are within reach, and discuss a season that has gone beyond expectations.

NEW PODCAST: Montreal Canadiens Are Surging and Pursuing Milestones | Canadiens Connection ep 394

We also discussed these important topics on this week’s episode of the podcast:

• Montreal lost a defenseman for the rest of the regular season necessitating a recall from Laval.
• Honors continue to pile up for Canadiens rookie goaltender who is fueling the Habs success.
• Maple Leafs executive calls the Habs one of the stealthiest trains in the NHL.

CC Question of the Week: Which player’s performance by a Canadien this season has surprised you the most?

It is our eighth season, with a new episode of the podcast dropping every Saturday afternoon. Be sure to subscribe using your favorite podcast app! Or watch our episodes on YouTube!

Canadiens Connection Podcast: Canadiens Are Surging / Pursuing Milestones

Catch up on any missed episodes here at HockeyHotStove.