The Montreal Canadiens delivered a concerning performance in a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators, signaling a worrying trend that threatens their push to secure a playoff berth. Several key players, including rookie defenseman Lane Hutson and veteran Nick Suzuki, struggled significantly, prompting immediate questions about the team’s consistency heading into the final stretch of the season.
Hutson, who’s been a revelation throughout the year – approaching the franchise record for rookie defenseman with 64 points – displayed a level of ineffectiveness rarely seen. He fumbled under pressure, targeted passes missed their marks, and generally struggled through the entire game. Adding to the difficulty was a similarly uncharacteristic performance from Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Kaiden Guhle, suggesting a broader issue than simply a single player’s off night.
“I think just being mentally sharp right from the start and not tiptoeing into the game,” stated Hutson after the game. “We’ve got to go out and take the game and play hard right from the start.”
The early goal conceded – 28 seconds into the first period – exacerbated the problems, immediately throwing the Canadiens off their game. They surrendered early momentum in all four preceding games they played leading up to Friday, and, crucially, failed to capitalize on a lead in three of those contests. The Senators’ third line – Greig, Pinto, and Amadio – dominated matchups against lines that had been so dominant throughout the season, illustrating the depth of Ottawa’s resurgence.
Despite the setback, the Canadiens still hold a significant mathematical advantage in the playoff race. They face Toronto on Saturday, followed by games against the Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes in Montreal next week – opportunities to correct course. The urgency stemming from this loss is palpable, and the expectation is for these players to respond decisively.
“I feel they respond,” commented coach Martin St. Louis. “I feel these guys have responded all year. They’re a proud group.”
However, the underlying issue – poor starts – remains the core concern. The team’s inability to establish dominance early in games has proven a recurring flaw throughout this season. Four of the six games preceding Friday’s loss were marred by similar struggles, highlighting a crucial area for improvement.
“It’s what the Canadiens hadn’t done in four of the six games they played coming into Friday’s game,” analyzed reporter. “Instead, they surrendered early momentum in all of them—and leads in three.”
While losses can catalyze urgency, the Canadiens must address this fundamental weakness. The team’s journey to secure a playoff berth was marked by a league-worst 5-10-2 start, followed by a dramatic turnaround culminating in a position to clinch a spot. This experience has instilled a resilience and a capacity to rally that will undoubtedly be vital in overcoming this current challenge. “A couple of tough years, turning things around now, you don’t just learn how to win just like that. You gotta get kicked in the nuts before you figure out how to bounce back. That’s what we’ve learned, that’s what we’re doing,”
Guhle noted, demonstrating the valuable lessons gleaned over the course of the season.