As the Montreal Canadiens navigated a key stretch of their season, they were able to rely on elite scoring, timely goaltending and their rising young talent to stay competitive in the very tight Atlantic Division race.
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With their division rivals all enjoying winning streaks, Montreal needed one of their own, especially in a key divisional matchup against the streaking hot Buffalo Sabres. A game that saw the Canadiens show some character and swagger, taking the key point matchup in regulation, allowing them to take control of third place in the division. This week’s three stars provided clutch production and performances, feeding a boost in confidence as Montreal closed out January with positive momentum heading into February.
Third Star – Nick Suzuki
Though not leading the week in goals, Nick Suzuki’s all-around playmaking and leadership made him indispensable. In a critical game against the Sabres, he chipped in with two assists. More importantly, he was a driving force in Montreal’s transition game and in creating offence at crucial junctures. Over the three games last week, he had two goals and five points with a 50% faceoff success rate, averaging almost 19 minutes per game, matching up against the opposition’s top lines led by Jack Eichel, Nathan MacKinnon and Tage Thompson. Combined, they amounted to one assist and a minus-4 against Suzuki.
Montreal Canadiens Juraj Slafkovsky celebrates with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)
His three-point night against the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche led to more than just a much-needed two points in the standings; it signalled to themselves and the rest of the NHL that the Canadiens are on the verge of taking that next step in the rebuild.
His ability to dictate play, both carrying pucks through the neutral zone and generating scoring chances, kept Montreal’s top line dangerous even when opponents focused on shutting down Cole Caufield. His savvy in the faceoff circle and IQ in tight spaces helped the Canadiens manage momentum swings in close contests in a critical juncture of their push for a playoff berth.
Second Star – Jakub Dobes
While offensive stories often grab headlines, Montreal’s backbone last week was goaltender Jakub Dobes. His play in goal provided the stability that the team had been longing for all season. In a week that saw the Canadiens fire their goaltending coach, Dobes backstopped all three games in a busy week that included a pivotal road game against a division rival. He turned aside 36 shots in Buffalo, preserving the win and showing marked poise under pressure.
His stellar play defied gaming analytics and allowed Montreal to take all six points available last week without allowing any to go to a divisional opponent. Additionally, his consistent save work in the overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights helped Montreal close out a tight game and maintain momentum. In games that saw high shot volumes and consistent exchanges of special teams chances, Dobes kept the Canadiens in games, blending timely saves with a calm composure that allowed Montreal’s forwards to press without panic.
First Star – Cole Caufield
Caufield was easily the most exciting and impactful player for the Canadiens last week. His three goals and four points included clutch scoring, including two tying goals and a game-winner. Despite going pointless in the 7-3 victory over the Avalanche, he is on pace for career record numbers of 48 goals and 85 points in 82 games.
Caufield punctuated the week with two huge third-period goals in a 4–2 road win over Buffalo on Jan. 31. Both tallies came in clutch moments, tying the game and then netting the eventual winner, lifting him to 32 goals on the season. Mr. Saturday Night’s ability to finish under pressure, with an NHL-leading eight game-winning goals, shaped Montreal’s week.
Despite somehow not being selected to play for Team USA at the Olympics, Caufield has shown a talent for raising his game when it matters most, as 23 of his 32 goals have come with Montreal either tied or down by one; he’s the very definition of a clutch sniper. His hot hand helped extend a three-game team winning streak and kept Montreal competitive in an ever-tighter Atlantic Division playoff race.
There were several deserving players for this edition, with some flying under the radar due in part to the highlights this week’s stars generated. Collectively, these performances helped Montreal close January on a high note and build confidence as they head into February’s slate of divisional battles.
