We’ve talked many times on this blog about how the term “resilience” pretty much defined the 2024-2025 edition of the Montreal Canadiens.

In a series where they’re considered the underdogs, they’ve made every game a competition against the top seed in the eastern conference. With a few lucky bounces here and there, they could actually be leading this series.

But here they are, their back against the wall, currently trailing 3-1 in the series. Ready to prove everyone wrong once again. They’ll need everyone to be the best version of themselves to try and bring the series back to Montreal for game number six.

Except… not everyone will be there.

When both goaltenders had to leave the game in the third installment of the series, many thought Samuel Montembeault’s injury was somewhat minor while Logan Thompson, after being completely run over by his teammate Dylan Strome, would be out for a significant period of time.

A Jakob Dobes vs Charlie Lindgren series in net? I for one liked those odds.

Except we have yet to have any positive news regarding Montembeault while Thompson played game four, seemingly without problems. Some might argue he wasn’t as tested with only 18 shots on goal by the Habs but still, he was on the ice giving his team confidence while Montreal was “stuck” with their backup.

Now this isn’t a knock on Jakob Dobes. Yes, he made a weird, stressful decision on the first goal but he also made some pretty good saves that, in the end, makes me think we got as good a performance as we could have hoped for from a rookie goaltender with a whopping 16 regular season games behind him, thrown in a very intense and emotional situation.

Another player that’s likely missing the next game is the extremely underrated (outside of Montreal at least) Alexandre Carrier. After being run over by Tom Wilson on a play that could have justified a whistle from the refs for many different reasons but instead resulted in the Capitals scoring the game winning goal, it’s safe to say Carrier suffered at least a concussion on the play and is considered “doubtful” for the rest of the series.

Now, we know how hockey players are and how Alexandre Carrier is an absolute warrior, but in the current situation, I truly hope they put the player’s health first. Not that I don’t want Montreal to have the best possible lineup to try and win… But, in all honesty, this probably isn’t the year we are winning the Stanley Cup. I would rather have Carrier get all the rests he needs and not risk aggravating his injury, especially since he already has a history of concussions.

The powerplay of the present and the future

In what should be a game already filled with intensity and emotion, there is one thing that will have me sitting on the edge of… well couch, it’s Montreal’s first powerplay unit.

Ever since Patrik Laine was sidelined with an upper body injury for game #3, Montreal has been sending what is likely to be their first powerplay unit for the next five years, if not more.

Ivan Demidov is slowly starting to get more puck touches at five on five, but it’s truly on the powerplay, where he has more time and space that you can see his talent shine the brightest.

The unit composed of Demidov, Caufield (finally back to his preferred spot at the right circle), Slafkovsky, Suzuki and Hutson has been an absolute joy to watch since they’ve been put together. The puck movement, the speed, the different threats coming from all sides of the ice makes it extremely effective. Montreal’s powerplay is currently 2nd in the playoffs with a success rate of 38.5%, having notably scored the team’s only two goals in game four.

It’s still a small sample, but it’s easy to get excited about what these five players could do together in the next few years and if there is one thing that could be the defining factor in the Canadiens' odds to stay alive in this series, it’s their powerplay.

Oh and if you were wondering how badly Montreal was winning the special teams battle, Washington is only scoring at a 10% success rate on their own powerplay. So if Montreal finds a way to improve their play at five on five… You’re telling me there’s a chance?

Let us hope for a victory tonight so we can enjoy at least one more wild playoff game at the Bell Centre on Friday. We know this team won’t quit until it’s all over and the fans will be right behind them as we enjoy the present with an eye still on the future.

Thank you all for reading and have a nice day.

Hugo Brossoit (Scabeh)

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