Marc Dumont
Updated:
Here are the Montreal Canadiens and NHL news items you may have missed on Wednesday.
Montreal Canadiens News
- We thought the first line may have a breakout night versus the Hurricanes in Game 4. We were wrong. They actually had decent underlying numbers, but the process was not enough to compensate for the lack of results. Additionally, the lines were changed midway through the game. [Analysis: Canadiens Star Players Poised To Breakout Vs Hurricanes]
- Heading into Game 4, some suggested a few lineup changes were in order, with the possibility of adding players such as Arber Xhekaj and Brendan Gallagher to the mix, in a bid to improve the team’s shot rate and physicality. Head coach Martin St-Louis opted to roll with the exact same lineup he used in Game 3. [Canadiens Vs. Hurricanes G4: Backs Against The Wall]
- Jakub Dobes showed up for Game 4, and had an excellent outing. Unfortunately for the Habs, he’s just about the only player who offered an honest effort versus the Hurricanes. [Canadiens Highlights: Meet The New Habs, The Same As The Old]
- Former netminder Jaroslav Halak, who enjoyed a fantastic playoff run as a 25-year-old netminder, was the player chosen to get things going at the Bell Centre on Wednesday night.
Jaroslav Halak carried the torch out for Game 4 in Montreal, and showed his support for Jakub Dobes in the process 😂🛑 #StanleyCup
— NHL (@NHL) May 28, 2026
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/1MWa5yPEnE
- Speaking of which, Wednesday was also Dobes’ 25th birthday! And though the Habs lost, he definitely wasn’t part of the problem, he was part of the solution.
Jakub Dobes looks solid early on. He made a huge save on a breakaway chance for Blake. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/cg9klMb6VV
— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) May 28, 2026
- Some players end up rubbing you the wrong way, but there’s very little to dislike about Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers. He’s the same player who protected Jake Evans when Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele delivered one of the ugliest hits in recent playoff history.
Nik Ehlers on Ivan Demidov: pic.twitter.com/d3I0Au9T0I
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) May 27, 2026
- The PWHL Champions, Montreal Victoire, have protected the most obvious candidates ahead of the most recent expansion draft: Marie-Phillip Poulin, Laura Stacey, and Ann-Renee Desbiens.
NEWS: The Montreal Victoire will be protecting Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey & Ann-Renee Desbiens in the expansion process, according to GM Daniele Sauvageau. #PWHL
— PWHL Report (@PWHL_Report) May 27, 2026
- This may not give much solace to Canadiens fans, but Hurricanes head coach Rob Brind’amour was a big Habs supporter growing up.
Young Rod was a massive Habs fan 👀 pic.twitter.com/P8acb7n3dL
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 28, 2026
- ICYMI: If the Habs want to add more physicality, chaos, and shot production to the mix, they need to look no further than Brendan Gallagher and Arber Xhekaj. Even when used sparingly, both Xhekaj and Gallagher bring important elements to table, in situations that are clearly weaknesses for the organization. [Two Canadiens Players Who Could Help Them Beat The Hurricanes]
Sportsnaut Network
- Check out the view from the other side of the rink, and don’t forget to visit our sister site. [Carolina Hurricanes]
- With the help of New Jersey Devils forward Paul Cotter’s insurance goal, the U.S. and Canada are set for an Olympic “rematch” at the quarterfinals of the IIHF World Championships. [New Jersey Devils]
- Based on the regular season results, the Western Conference Final should have heavily favoured the Colorado Avalanche. Instead, the new misfits of the Vegas Golden Knights badly outplayed the beaten and broken Colorado Presidents’ Trophy winning team. [Vegas Golden Knights]
- Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin won’t have a decision on his NHL future until after free agency on July 1. The 40-year-old confirmed that his decision will come in July. [Washington Capitals]
