The Montreal Canadiens are making a compelling push for the playoffs after a rocky start, especially without Patrik Laine initially in the lineup. Their executive team, led by Jeff Gorton and GM Kent Hughes, remains focused on a rebuild, but recent successes have ignited hope for playoff contention. The acquisition of Alexandre Carrier from the Nashville Predators has solidified their defense, allowing players like Lane Hutson to thrive and potentially earn the Calder Trophy. Furthermore, the rise of Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki has provided the offensive spark needed for the Canadiens.

Despite holding on to key players like Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak at the trade deadline, Hughes is expected to be active in the offseason in search of a second-line center. Standout performances from Jakub Dobes have eased the burden on Sam Montembeault, showcasing the depth and resilience of this young team. As they prepare for the final stretch of the season, the Canadiens are embracing the challenge of meaningful games in March and April.

Cole Caufield led the Montreal Canadiens with his 33rd goal and an assist, guiding them to a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Patrik Laine opened the scoring with a power-play goal, followed by a strike from Caufield. Christian Dvorak capped off the scoring with his 100th career goal, a deflection that sealed the win. Sam Montembeault was solid in goal with 21 saves, showcasing a highlight-reel windmill glove stop on Carter Verhaeghe. Despite the loss, Florida remains competitive in the Atlantic Division, but they missed the offensive presence of key players due to injury and suspension.

In the latest NHL news, Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka is day-to-day with an unspecified issue. Meanwhile, teammate Jiri Kulich returns to the lineup after battling an illness. The Calgary Flames face challenges as forward Mikael Backlund left the last game with an upper-body injury. Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer provided a hopeful update on Roope Hintz, stating he could return as soon as Sunday after recovering from a facial injury, contingent on passing a five-day threshold.

Additionally, the Montreal Canadiens see Patrik Laine back in action, but Joel Armia is sidelined due to a hand injury. Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen Ryan Shea and Pierre-Olivier Joseph are both week-to-week with upper-body injuries. Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev remains a question mark for the upcoming game, still day-to-day after an upper-body injury sustained on February 25. Vancouver Canucks' Quinn Hughes has returned from injury, although Elias Pettersson left a recent game with an undisclosed injury, adding to the team's concerns.

The Montreal Canadiens welcomed back Patrik Laine just in time for a challenging match against the Seattle Kraken, although Joel Armia's absence due to injury forced some lineup adjustments. Laine showcased his power-play prowess, assisting in the Canadiens' comeback after a shaky start and finishing the game with a goal and an assist.

Despite a difficult first period, where they were outshot 15-5, the Canadiens rallied to take a 3-2 lead into the second, largely due to Laine's contributions. However, discipline issues plagued the Canadiens, allowing the Kraken to capitalize on power plays, leading to a 5-4 overtime loss. This defeat could have implications for their playoff hopes, emphasizing the importance of consistency in high-stakes situations.

The Montreal Canadiens finally broke a lengthy winless streak against the Carolina Hurricanes, winning 4-0 on Tuesday night. Nick Suzuki ended his scoring drought against Carolina, contributing with a power-play goal and an assist, while Cole Caufield celebrated his 200th NHL point in the game. Samuel Montembeault earned a shutout, marking a significant personal victory after a series of losses to the Hurricanes. Owen Beck showcased his speed, enhancing the second line's performance. Meanwhile, Patrik Laine stood out as the third star of the night, registering three points.