It seems like there’s never been an NHL season like this — where the standings are so tight and can be greatly affected by whether a team wins or loses that night.
And now the Canadiens have the next-biggest game on their schedule Thursday at Detroit (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM). It’s yet another quick turnaround after Tuesday night’s emotional 3-2 overtime victory against Boston at the Bell Centre. A game that saw Cole Caufield score his 40th goal — and the winner — of the season, along with Brendan Gallagher playing his 900th career game after being a healthy scratch Saturday against San Jose for the first time since he was a rookie.
“We’re happy with the way we played (against Boston),” Gallagher told a media scrum on Wednesday after the Canadiens held a brief practice in Brossard. “I think we got back to playing our brand of hockey. Consistency is what matters in this league. Being able to do it again against a really good hockey team that is equally as desperate. Every time we play them, it’s a good game.
“It’s one of those games that, as players, you look forward to. It’s not a challenge to get up for it. We’re excited. We know they’ll be ready and it should be a good game.”
While head coach Martin St. Louis declined to name his starting goaltender against Detroit, he has been rotating Jacob Fowler and Jakub Dobes of late — and it’s Fowler’s turn should that trend continue.
This is the third and final meeting between the Canadiens and Detroit. Montreal defeated the Red Wings 5-1 on the road in their second game of the season before being shut out 4-0 at home on Jan. 10. The goalies in those two games were Dobes and Fowler, respectively.
Forward Josh Anderson (therapy day) was the only player who didn’t practise on Wednesday. Anderson had a strong game against the Bruins. He scored his 13th goal this season, tying the score 2-2 in the second period after missing a shorthanded breakaway early in the contest. He also had three shots and was his usual physical force, administering four hits — two fewer than Gallagher.
Veteran centre Phillip Danault, who was reacquired by the Canadiens this season from Los Angeles — as much for his defensive and faceoff acumen as his veteran presence — said he has been impressed with the way his teammates have been handling these pressure-packed games.
Montreal Canadiens centre Nick Suzuki fires a shot on Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman despite being pressured by Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy during the third period at the Bell Centre on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
“They’re adjusting well,” he said. “It’s a little different than last year, (when) they had no expectations. There’s a little more this year, obviously. They know what it takes. We had a solid game overall (against Boston). We played well against San Jose and Anaheim. The games could have gone either way as well. Guys show up when it’s time. It’s hockey. You can’t win them all. But it’s definitely another big game (against Detroit) and we have to get those points.
“You try to not think too far ahead and remain in the present,” Danault added. “Actually, it’s like the playoffs. You have an emotional game, wait one day and play the next day. It’s the same process. It’s a good test for us.”
The Canadiens (37-20-10) are third in the Atlantic Division, two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning, which has played one fewer game. Montreal is also two points ahead of both Boston and Detroit, the teams holding down the Eastern Conference’s two wild-card berths. The Canadiens hold a game in hand on both those clubs.
The Canadiens were on a two-game losing streak before facing Boston. Things could have unravelled quickly against the Bruins after defenceman Alexandre Carrier took a double high-sticking minor before 30 seconds had elapsed. While Boston opened the scoring before the first minor expired, the Canadiens weathered the storm and rebounded from one-goal deficits twice.
“I think it was just our mindset,” St. Louis said on Wednesday. “I think we were very disappointed in the weekend. We were more disappointed about the way we played (than the squandered points). I felt like there was a great response from our group, knowing that the losing streak had to stop now. It wasn’t necessarily (technical aspects). It was just an attitude and a mindset. Doing the things to take care of the team, and I thought we did that much better.
“I don’t think we rolled the dice (defensively) as much as we did over the weekend, which is important. It doesn’t guarantee anything. We played a really good game (against Boston) and it would have been disappointing not getting two (points). After the kind of weekend we had, I think it was important to get two — especially the way we played — for our confidence. Getting the swagger back a little bit. And I’m glad we did. To me, it was a group decision. It always is.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
Related