The Montreal Canadiens were in Winnipeg on Wednesday night, facing the Jets in the last game before the 2026 Winter Olympic break.
The Habs ended-up receiving goals from some of their younger players, which is par for the course, but it was the veterans who led the charge in Montreal’s important 5-1 win.
Let’s dive into the highlights!
Discipline Wanted
While there’s certainly something to be said about the myriad of poor calls that have gone against the Habs this season, it’s also fair to say they’ve lacked discipline for several years now, and that most of the penalties are deserved.
For example, Josh Anderson took a terrible penalty to start the game, which led to a powerplay, and, unsurprisingly, a 1-0 Jets lead.
Anderson with an entirely useless high stick. Habs to the PK. pic.twitter.com/2Omg34HucT
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 5, 2026
Doesn’t Matter How, Just How Many
There’s been a sustained level of criticism sent Oliver Kapanen’s way this year, and while some of it is justified, it’s only fair to point out he scored his 18th goal of the season versus the Jets, which accounts for almost 10% of the Canadiens goals this season.
And he’s doing most of his damage at 5v5, as a rookie, which is always impressive.
(Editor’s Note: Kapanen’s goal tied the game at 1-1. The description in the Tweet embedded below is erroneous.)
Oliver Kapanen scores his 18th goal of the year to cut the Jets lead to 1. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Df4ai63gDR
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 5, 2026
Mr. Anderson
To Anderson’s credit, he always seems to have a great game after he takes a poor penalty.
On Wednesday, he got his stick on a Jayden Struble point shot to score his 12th goal of the year, giving the Canadiens a 2-1 lead in the process.
A very nice tip by Anderson on the Struble point shot gives the #GoHabsGo a 2-1 lead. pic.twitter.com/FnR8WYLcDw
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 5, 2026
Anderson would go on to register his second point of the game when he set up Lane Hutson with an excellent pass midway through the second period. It was Hutson’s 10th goal of the year.
Lane Hutson, ladies and gentlemen.
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 5, 2026
A great pass by Anderson, and a perfect finish by Hutson, who was the last guy back before the rush started.
It's Hutson's 10th goal of the year.#GoHabsGo up 3-1. pic.twitter.com/n6WlQdstZj
It’s worth noting Hutson was miles behind the play when it started, but he turned on the afterburners and quickly left Mark Scheifele in his dust.
Lane Hutson turns on the jets (heh), impressive speed burst. pic.twitter.com/q8xYcQV7zx
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 5, 2026
Insurance Time
The Canadiens built a 4-1 lead when veteran Brendan Gallagher scored his second goal in as many games, and his sixth of the season.
Full marks to Zachary Bolduc and Kirby Dach for not giving up on what originally looked like a broken play.
Bolduc —> Dach –> Gallagher. #GoHabsGo are up 4-1. pic.twitter.com/96r3OmhFkW
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 5, 2026
Confidence Builder
The score may give the impression that the Canadiens dominated the game, but veteran netminder Samuel Montembeault had to keep his team in the game on several occasions.
Big save by Montembeault on Niederreiter. pic.twitter.com/P3spKLcKKd
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 5, 2026
He made almost 20 high-danger saves at 5v5, and was clearly the first star despite the offensive surge by the Canadiens. Wednesday night’s victory will also serve as an importance confidence-booster for Montembeault before the Olympic break, as both he and the team avoided leaving a bitter taste in their mouths before NHL hockey is suspended for three weeks.
Another huge save by Montembeault. He's stopped more than a dozen high-danger chances so far. pic.twitter.com/85XTZSgnV4
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 5, 2026
All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick.
