Montreal rolled to a 5-0 preseason win over Ottawa behind Patrik Laine and Alexandre Carrier scoring in the second period, with Oliver Kapanen, Lane Hutson and Kirby Dach also finding the net. Brendan Gallagher posted three assists as Jakub Dobes earned the shutout; Ottawa goalie Leevi Merilainen stopped 18 of 23. Montreal went 3-for-10 on the power play, while Ottawa was 0-for-2 despite a 102-minute penalty load.

In a separate NHL showcase, Minnesota edged Winnipeg 3-2. Marcus Foligno broke a 2-2 tie with a short-handed marker in the second, while Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov doubled the Wild’s lead on the power play. Kaprizov signed a historic $136 million, eight-year deal in the lead-up to the season. Connor Hellebuyck took the loss for Winnipeg, with Cole Koepke and Vladislav Namestnikov supplying the Jets’ goals.

Training camp could spark selective asset moves as teams balance depth with cap realities. Pagnotta notes most clubs are deep, with the Leafs and Canadiens serving as prime examples of rosters crowded with forwards and veterans. Early activity may hinge on waivers and injuries, while significant shifts look unlikely until after camp. Look for gradual networked moves rather than blockbuster deals as October approaches.

Montreal could trade Arber Xhekaj for a first-round pick to target a true top-six center, with Shane Wright as the alluring return if the pick lands with Seattle. Wright posted 19 goals and 44 points in 2024, but Montreal’s back end is crowded—Hutson, Guhle, Carrier and Matheson—giving Xhekaj high trade value despite his physical, enforcer-type upside. The move hinges on securing immediate center production, not another mid-round asset.

In a crucial Game 5, the Montreal Canadiens face potential elimination against the Washington Capitals, with Alexandre Carrier's status as a game-time decision. Coach Martin St. Louis confirmed that Carrier is day-to-day after an injury from Tom Wilson in Game 4. The Canadiens have already dealt with injuries to key players like goaltender Sam Montembeault and winger Patrik Laine, leaving rookie Jakub Dobes to start again in net.

Matheson emphasized the team's adaptability, stating his readiness to adjust defensively regardless of Carrier's availability. As the series stands, the Canadiens trail 3-1, a situation reminiscent of their 2021 playoff comeback against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Montreal Canadiens are grappling with a growing injury list as defenceman Alexandre Carrier is now listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. This uncertainty comes just ahead of Game 5 in their NHL first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals, where they trail 3-1. Carrier sustained his injury during Game 4, following a hit from Capitals forward Tom Wilson, which resulted in a pivotal tying goal for Washington in what ended up being a 5-2 victory.

Besides Carrier, goaltender Sam Montembeault and winger Patrik Laine are also day-to-day. Laine, however, did return to practice, suggesting a potential return is imminent. The Canadiens will have a challenging task ahead as they aim to bounce back against a storied rival, and the status of these key players could significantly impact their performance.