Marc Dumont
Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Thursday.
Montreal Canadiens News
We now know when the Habs and the Lightning will play Game One of their first round series. Okay, we know which day, it will be on Sunday, but the league is yet to release the actual start times. Oh, and we haven’t been advised when Game Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, or Seven will take place yet. Classic NHL! [NHL Playoff Schedule: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Begins Sunday]
ICYMI: There’s no doubt about it, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been the better team at 5v5 this season. However, when evaluating Montreal’s numbers versus the Lightning in their four games against each other, the discrepancy is less noticeable, with the Canadiens managing to control more shots than the Bolts. [Playoff Preview: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Head-To-Head]
Check out this fantastic playoff pump-up video created by Danielle Lapierre! There was a time when editing on this level was reserved for a few expensive videos per year, but now we’re seeing fan-driven content which outclasses stuff produced by the teams, which is nothing short of excellent. Keep up the good work, Danielle!
I’m not saying phenom Lane Hutson HAS to win the Norris Trophy, but it’s a little ridiculous he’s not ranked among the top candidates by the NHL’s voters. Most data-based analysis suggests Hutson should be considered among the front-runners when it comes to deciding the best defenceman in the league.
With the regular season wrapping up tomorrow night, who has your vote for the Norris Trophy as the League's best defenseman? 🗳️ #NHLAwards
— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) April 15, 2026
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/0NxHNBlLNm pic.twitter.com/qdbkUkyDY7
Even though it seems rather clear that the Canadiens aren’t intent on using Patrik Laine any time soon, head coach Martin St-Louis is keeping close tabs on the situation, which can’t be easy for Finnish forward.
Que se disent Martin St-Louis et Patrik Laine avant le début de l’entraînement ? 🤔🧐@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #Laine #NHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/sLSNVkZeZs
— Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) April 16, 2026
Speaking of players looking to make their mark, rookie David Reinbacher spent plenty of time with skills coach Adam Nicholas on Thursday.
David Reinbacher a travaillé en solo pendant plusieurs minutes avec Adam Nicholas après l’entraînement.
— Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) April 16, 2026
Le défenseur autrichien semblait vouloir améliorer sa gestion et sa protection de la rondelle près de son filet.@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #Reinbacher #NHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/6ux0E1z3N5
Shockingly, or not, Hutson and Ivan Demidov were among the first players to jump on the ice at practice.
Même en séries, les habitudes ne changent pas pour Lane Hutson et Ivan Demidov : ils sont les deux premiers à fouler la patinoire ce matin à Brossard.@DLCoulisses #GoHabsGo #Hutson #Demidov #NHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/laqm9hAMWQ
— Patrick Guillet (@PatGuillet) April 16, 2026
Sportsnaut Network
Anders Lee spent his 14 NHL seasons wearing a New York Islanders sweater. That may be about to change soon. Lee spoke about his future at the Islanders breakup day Wednesday and explained why his exit interview with GM Mathieu Darche was important. [New York Islanders]
It’s official, folks, the Ottawa Senators will be taking on the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs. That puts the Senators in the Metropolitan part of the bracket for the first two rounds, along with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers. [Ottawa Senators]
The Detroit Red Wings need to make moves during the 2026 NHL offseason. After a late-season collapse, the Red Wings went from leading the Eastern Conference to eliminated from playoff contention. However, could Detroit look to pull off a blockbuster trade during the 2026 NHL offseason? [Detroit Red Wings]
