Marc Dumont
Here are the Montreal Canadiens and NHL news items you may have missed on Thursday.
Montreal Canadiens News
- Not only did the Canadiens win Gamer 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, they also scored six goals, including two from Juraj Slafkovsky. In other words, the Habs scored more goals in one game than the Ottawa Senators or Philadelphia Flyers did in their entire series verus the Hurricanes. [Canadiens Highlights: Red-Hot Habs Drop Ice-Cold Canes]
- Montreal’s powerplay has been better in the playoffs, but it will be put to the ultimate test versus the Hurricanes, as they’ve been flat-out dominant on the penalty kill. [Improved Powerplay Will Be Put To The Test By Hurricanes]
- The Habs made just one change heading into Game 1 versus the Carolina Hurricanes, replacing defenceman Arber Xhekaj with Jayden Struble. [Canadiens Vs Hurricanes G1 Preview: Xhekaj Or Struble]
- Full marks to head coach Martin St-Louis when it comes to the open line of communication with the media and fans.
“I don’t want anyone to feel like they need to protect me, or our team. So whatever’s happening in the game – good or bad – come out there and ask me whatever you want. I’ll answer for it. I don’t want to be protected. And sometimes those interviews are more valuable when things… https://t.co/LR87AFnxxq
— Jackie Redmond (@Jackie_Redmond) May 22, 2026
- Speaking of St-Louis, rarely does a panel take place without someone going out of their way to send some praise towards the Canadiens coach.
"It's incredible what he's done."
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 22, 2026
The panel credits Martin St. Louis' leadership as the Habs lead after two periods in Game 1. pic.twitter.com/WCWQZEueFq
- Canadiens prospect Alexander Zharovsky is among the finalists for the KHL’s Rookie of the Year award. Current Hab Ivan Demidov won the award last season. [Canadiens Top Prospects – No.3 – Magical Alexander Zharovsky]
Alexander Zharovsky, Matvei Polyakov and Mikhail Fyodorov are the nominees for the Alexei Cherepanov Rookie of the Year Award: https://t.co/JP55LZjb0p#KHLAwards pic.twitter.com/EtU7FEf4yF
— KHL (@khl_eng) May 21, 2026
- While Montreal’s offence will be the talk to the town, we must give credit to the defensive setup, as they essentially did not give the Hurricanes any chance to mount a comeback in the third period.
The Canadiens allowed the Hurricanes to generate zero (0) quality scoring chances (all situations) in the third period.
— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) May 22, 2026
That's how you close out a hockey game.
- Ivan Demidov’s goal versus Frederik Andersen was eerily familiar.
2 Demidov
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 22, 2026
0 Andersen
🤭🤭🤭 pic.twitter.com/drBNtE0zac
- Well, well, well. Would you look at that? Nick Suzuki is among the top points producers in the playoffs. Not bad for a player who is currently on a line that has yet to find its peak form.
With a 3 point game tonight:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) May 22, 2026
Habs captain Nick Suzuki is now 2nd in NHL playoff scoring with 16 points pic.twitter.com/wxVFzGXXz7
- St-Louis, Alexandre Texier, Jake Evans, and others met with the media following Montreal’s impressive win.
Écoutez les disponibilités médias suivant le match 1 de ce soir contre la Caroline
— x – Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 22, 2026
Tune in now to live postgame media ops following tonight’s Game 1 against the Hurricanes#GoHabsGo https://t.co/d5oD7rWZYv
Sportsnaut Network
- New Jersey Devils defenceman Simon Nemec is the subject of trade rumours once again. Last time, it was because the former general manager, Tom Fitzgerald, was dangling him at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline in exchange for a top-six forward. However, this time, a report from overseas suggests Nemec has requested to be traded. [New Jersey Devils]
- The New Jersey Devils do, in fact, face the scary realistic situation of being offer sheeted this summer. Offer sheets are still the league’s nuclear option—rare, dramatic, and guaranteed to create tension. However, they’ve become more of a talking point ever since the St. Louis Blues successfully ambushed the Edmonton Oilers by poaching Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg two summers ago. [New York Devils]
- The Washington Capitals have found their replacement for Kirk Muller. The team has hired Ray Bennett as their new assistant coach. [Washington Capitals]
