The Montreal Canadiens faced a pair of Western Conference teams at the Bell Centre on the weekend. On Saturday, Macklin Celebrini had another productive match against Montreal with a three-point performance in San Jose’s 4-2 win. Back on March 3rd, he had a four-point night against the Habs. On Sunday, a late goal by Cutter Gauthier sealed a 4-3 win by the Anaheim Ducks.
A disappointing weekend for the Habs leaving four points on the table at home. There’s a quick turnaround as the Boston Bruins visit on Tuesday night, followed by a trip to Detroit to face the Red Wings on Thursday. The week concludes on Saturday by hosting the New York Islanders.
Habs Notes
Here are my notes from this weekend’s doubleheader.
- On Saturday, Martin St. Louis scratched Brendan Gallagher from the lineup. The last time the 33-year-old forward sat out a game not related to injury was during his rookie season in 2012-13. It was not an easy decision to make, but the writing was on the wall. His ice time gradually reduced over the last couple of games and three extra forwards in the surroundings. There’s no doubt about Gallagher’s effort. He works hard on the ice. When St. Louis spoke to the media about the decision, there was emotion in his voice. Josh Anderson showed the same emotion when he reacted to the decision.
- Gallagher returned to the lineup on Sunday in his regular spot with Anderson and Philip Danault on the fourth line. He did not register a point, but Montreal’s first goal started with his pressure on the defenceman, which forced a turnover that set up Alex Newhook’s goal.
- Zachary Bolduc sat out Sunday. He hasn’t scored since December 23 and has nine assists in his last 27 games. Joe Veleno and Patrik Laine are the only players on the roster who have not dressed since play resumed after the Olympic break. Laine appears on injured reserve even though he has been practicing in a regular jersey since mid‑January.
- Kirby Dach exited during the first period of the game versus the Ducks due to an upper-body injury. There was no updates provided on the severity of the injury.
- Cole Caufield scored both nights to set a personal career high of 39 goals. He sits one goal away from becoming the first Hab since Vincent Damphousse in 1993‑94 to hit 40.
Rocket Notes
On Friday, the Canadiens signed Luke Mittelstadt to a two-year entry-level contract that begins next season. He also signed an AHL contract for the balance of the year. The 197th overall pick from the 2023 draft just completed his fourth season with the University Minnesota, where he collected 21 points in 36 games. The left shooting defenceman will join the Laval Rocket this week.
Friday was also the AHL trade deadline and Laval obtained reinforcements. In a trade completed with the Ottawa Senators organization, the Rocket received goalie Hunter Shepard and forward Jake Chiasson. Shepard has played 133 AHL games, won two Calder Cups, and six NHL games between the Senators and Washington Capitals organizations.
The Edmonton Oilers drafted Chiasson in the fourth round (116th overall) in 2021, and he has spent his entire pro career in the AHL and ECHL. He will report to the Trois‑Rivieres Lions this week.
The Canadiens sent Riley Kidney to the Senators as part of the transaction. Kidney has played most of the season with the Lions, where he totalled 33 points in 46 games. The Habs drafted the 22‑year‑old 63rd overall in 2021, but he struggled to secure a regular roster spot in three seasons with Laval.
The Laval Rocket were on the road for two games over the weekend. On Friday, the Utica Comets (New Jersey Devils) scored four unanswered goals in the final 40 minutes to finish with a 5-2 win. The following day, Sean Farrell settled the contest in the shootout for the game-deciding goal in 4-3 win against the Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning).
This week, Laval hosts the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) on Wednesday and the Springfield Thunderbirds (St. Louis Blues) on Friday.
