How the mighty have fallen: Has it really been less than two seasons since the Vancouver Canucks finished first in the Pacific Division while winning 50 games?
The Canucks, in a serious rebuilding mode — although president Jim Rutherford has called it a “hybrid rebuild,” whatever that means — are absolutely terrible.
Fortunately for the Canadiens, the NHL’s worst team made a stop at the Bell Centre Monday night. And the timing couldn’t have been better for Montreal — shut out at home Saturday by Detroit and about to embark on a three-game road trip, beginning Tuesday night at Washington.
Montreal’s 6-3 victory told only a portion of the story. The Canucks are now on a seven-game (0-5-2) losing streak while being outscored 34-15. How bad is Vancouver? Defenceman Quinn Hughes, their former captain who was traded to Minnesota one month ago, remains tied for third on the Canucks, with 23 points.
If there’s any justice in the hockey world, Vancouver will win the draft lottery and select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna.
Montreal Canadiens’ Alexandre Texier carries the puck into the Vancouver Canucks’ zone during the first period at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday January 12, 2026.
How’s that trade working out? Defenceman Zeev Buium, one of three players acquired from Minnesota — along with a first-round draft choice this season — was a healthy scratch against Montreal.
Sieve of the night: Vancouver goalie Nikita Tolopilo, recalled from AHL Abbotsford Sunday following an injury to Thatcher Demko, was playing his first NHL game since Dec. 8. And it might be his last for a while. He was beaten on the 17th and 18th shots he faced — in a 20-second span, no less — along with the 28th and 29th directed his way. His save percentage was .854.
Vancouver Canucks goalie Nikita Tolopilo looks for the puck after making a save as Vancouver defenceman Pierre-Olivier Joseph checks Montreal Canadiens’ Joe Veleno during the third period at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday January 12, 2026.
It may not have been pretty, but he won: Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes, starting for the first time since Jan. 1, was beaten three times on the first 12 shots he faced. He eventually settled down, although his save percentage was .870. The last time Dobes played, he allowed five goals on 25 shots, but Montreal outlasted Carolina 7-5.
Strange but true (Part I): When Elias Pettersson opened the scoring, nearly 12 minutes into the game, it was the first time the Canucks had the lead in six 2026 games. When Evander Kane provided the visitors with a 2-1 lead early in the second period, it marked the second such occasion.
Montreal Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes and teammate Phillip Danault watch with Vancouver Canucks’ Nils Hoglander as Evander Kane’s shot heads to Montreal’s net for a goal during the second period at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday January 12, 2026.
Momentum, schmomentum: Alexandre Carrier scored 2:41 later. He notched his second goal of the game 20 seconds after that.
Pass of the night (Part I): Juraj Slafkovsky, cross-ice to Carrier on his second goal. Further proof that good things happen when you go to the net — even for defencemen.
Montreal Canadiens Ivan Demidov, left, Juraj Slafkovsky and Oliver Kapanen, right, celebrate with Alexandre Carrier after Carrier scored against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday January 12, 2026.
Strange but true (Part II): Pettersson, who has a career-high 102-point season on his resumé and was selected fifth overall in 2017, has 27 points (12 goals and 15 assists) through 37 games. Canadiens rookie Oliver Kapanen also has 27 points, albeit over 46 games. But he has scored 16 goals. And he wasn’t a first-round draft choice.
Great moments in officiating: Early in the game, Cole Caufield took a stick to the face from defenceman Pierre-Olivier Joseph. No high-sticking penalty was assessed.
Montreal Canadiens’ Noah Dobson passes the puck from behind the Vancouver Canucks’ net while under pressure from Jake DeBrusk during the first period at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday January 12, 2026.
News you need (Part I): Canadiens defenceman Noah Dobson, the human piñata, blocked four Vancouver shots, increasing his season total to 115.
Faceoff of the night: Nick Suzuki beat Aatu Raty. Two seconds later, Dobson scored the Canadiens’ first goal. It came on the Canadiens’ only power play.
News you need (Part II): The Canadiens’ power play is now 2-for-18 in 2026.
News you need (Part III): With three assists on this night, Ivan Demidov produced six points in two games against Vancouver.
Montreal Canadiens defencemen Arber Xhekaj, left, and Kaiden Guhle team up to keep the puck away from Vancouver Canucks’ Linus Karlsson in front of Habs goalie Jakub Dobes during the third period at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday January 12, 2026.
News you need (Part IV): It was a three-point night for Slafkovsky. That included his 17th goal in 46 games. He scored 18 all of last season — in 79 games — and seems certain to surpass his career high of 20 during the 2023-24 campaign.
How not to play defence: Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj collided, providing Max Sasson with an easy goal in the second period. Incredibly, the game was tied, 3-3, following 40 minutes.
Vancouver Canucks’ Max Sasson shoots the puck past Montreal Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes for a goal during the second period at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday January 12, 2026.
Hit of the night: Xhekaj — who else? — on Kane in front of the Vancouver bench in the second period.
That must have been some dressing-room speech: We’re not sure who said what, but the Canadiens scored twice on their first two shots in the third period, taking a 5-3 lead before 70 seconds had elapsed.
How not to play goalie: Tolopilo, a mere 6-foot-6, was on his knees when Slafkovsky beat him high over his left shoulder. Had Tolopilo merely remained vertical, the puck likely would have hit him.
Pass of the night (Part II): Demidov to Kapanen on the Canadiens’ sixth goal.
Strange but true (Part III): It wasn’t a good night for the line of Brendan Gallagher, Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc. All three ended up minus-2.
Montreal Canadiens’ Arber Xhekaj takes a shot on the Vancouver Canucks’ net during the first period at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday January 12, 2026.
Next time, decline the penalty: Vancouver was 0-for-2 on the power play.
Quick stats: Danault had six shots and blocked four others. Kapanen had five shots — one more than Caufield. Dobson also had four shots. Samuel Blais had four hits despite playing only 11:06. Xhekaj had six hits and blocked two shots. The Canadiens won 55.8 per cent of their faceoffs and outhit Vancouver 26-12.
Montreal Canadiens’ Cole Caufield checks Vancouver Canucks’ Linus Karlsson during the second period at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday January 12, 2026.
They said it: “I think everyone knew if we want to make the playoffs and be in a good spot at the end of the regular season, these are the games we should be taking two points,” Slafkovsky said. “We all knew what had to be done out there. It was a good start to the third. It’s good the way we came out in the third and set the tone early.”
“It sounds very simple, but (Demidov) can stickhandle without looking at the puck, ever,” Mike Matheson said. “There’s only a few guys I’ve ever played with that can do that. More often than not, you have to take a glance down at it every once in a while. He’s one of those guys that never has to. He has such great ability that allows him to make great plays.”
“I tried to go back and remember what won me those games before … and what it feels like,” Dobes said.
Montreal Canadiens’ Joe Veleno, left, gives teammate Alexandre Carrier a hug after a game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday January 12, 2026. Carrier scored two goals in the game.
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