Marc Dumont
Updated:
Here are the Montreal Canadiens and NHL news items you may have missed on Friday.
Montreal Canadiens News
- Alex Newhook drove the charge versus the Buffalo Sabres in Game 2, scoring a pair of goals to power Montreal’s impressive 5-1 win. The game featured one of Montreal’s best periods of the year, with the Habs outscoring Buffalo 2-0, and out-chancing them 7-0 in the first period. [Canadiens Highlights: Dominant Win Evens Series Versus Sabres]
- While the Habs evened their series versus the Sabres, the Laval Rocket are preparing for the ultimate game of their second-round series versus the Toronto Marlies. Laval had a great year, but it would be quickly forgotten if they fall to the Marlies. [Laval Rocket Season On The Line Against Marlies]
- Zach Benson’s frustrated Chihuahua act is part of his style of play, and full marks to him for doing what he needs to survive in a league full of Rottweilers. But it was quite funny to see him attempt to chip Jakub Dobes, a player who lives for that type of grease. It’s worth noting Dobes was perfect following the failed chirp attempt.
Benson let Dobeš hear it 🍿 https://t.co/Zsft9R2aab pic.twitter.com/XAVexOcXWA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2026
- He won’t get credit for it, but it appears that Mike Matheson was trying to avoid any serious injury to Benson when the Sabres forward ended up at the bottom of a dog pile.
Here's the entire play that involved Benson and Dobes. #GoHabsGo
— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) May 9, 2026
Benson eventually got up and started yelling again. pic.twitter.com/mlDOO64YAf
- You could say Newhook was *slightly* pumped to read the starting lineup prior to Game 2.
Now THAT is how you do a lineup read, Alex Newhook 🫡 pic.twitter.com/fEf6Xch3oi
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2026
- Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent had nothing but great things to say about his captain, Lucas Condotta.
Des bons mots pour le capitaine
— xy – Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) May 8, 2026
Kind words for the captain pic.twitter.com/HjEO4YkYdp
Sportsnaut Network
- After competing for the services of Sunny Mehta, it seems the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs could by against each other for another front office executive. The Devils weren’t letting Mehta slip through their fingers after learning he was a candidate for the job in Toronto as well. [New Jersey Devils]
- The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the odds and won the NHL’s Draft Lottery. That stroke of luck has completely changed the narrative around the moribund franchise. Just one day earlier, all anyone could talk about was the team’s roundly-criticized hiring of new general manager John Chayka. Now, it’s all about that No. 1 pick in next month’s Draft. [Toronto Maple Leafs]
- Colorado Avalanche superstar center Nathan MacKinnon has already checked off the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2025-26 as the NHL’s leading goalscorer. He’ll now get an opportunity to win the Hart Trophy as league MVP for the second time in his career. [Colorado Avalanche]
