Marc Dumont
Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Friday.
Montreal Canadiens News
With Game One of the first-round series between the Habs and the Tampa Bay Lightning scheduled for Sunday, we continue with our in-depth series previews, including a comparison of their respective special teams. [Playoff Preview: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Special Teams]
We also evaluated some of the X-Factors heading into the series, including the importance of finding open space for Nick Suzuki and the rest of the first line. The Canadiens score a lot of goals, but if Tampa Bay’s shutdown line finds its rhythm, things will quickly turn sour for Montreal. [Playoff Preview: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Top X Factors]
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]
Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is now officially a father! The 26-year-old missed practice on Thursday, supporting his wife, Caitlin. They welcomed a daughter, Maya, to the world.
Prospect Alexis Cournoyer will play for the one of the best teams in the NCAA next year. The 20-year-old netminder has used the transfer portal, and will feature in games for the Wisconsin Badgers, the team that lost to the Denver Pioneers in the National Championship.
Cornell freshman Alexis Cournoyer (MTL 5th round), the ECAC's Ken Dryden Goaltender of the Year, has signed with Wisconsin.
— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) April 17, 2026
I promise you that anything authored by Michael Farber is well worth your time.
There is no team-town connection in Canada quite like Les Canadiens and Montreal, especially during the playoffs.
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) April 17, 2026
"Ça Sent La Coupe."
It's a favourite expression for fans come playoff time and @MichaelFarber3 explains how there's something in the air: https://t.co/kYUYJTGCPc pic.twitter.com/bDNBOKAVgj
NHL 26 ran simulations ahead of the 2026 NHL Playoffs, and the Montreal Canadiens came out on top. Honestly, this means very little historically speaking. For the most part, the team picked by EA Sports tends to struggle in the playoffs.
The sim has spoken 🔮
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) April 17, 2026
Your #NHL26 Playoff Simulation Stanley Cup Champions:
The @CanadiensMTL 🏆 pic.twitter.com/riaefS08hQ
Sportsnaut Network
The New Jersey Devils won the general manager free agent frenzy. Sunny Mehta was named the Devils GM on Thursday evening. Mehta, an analytical guru, will bring a new approach to the position left by former GM Tom Fitzgerald. Said approach starts right away. The Devils have a laundry list of things to address leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft and the Free Agent Frenzy. So, where does he begin? [New Jersey Devils]
San Jose Sharks phenom Macklin Celebrini just capped off a season where he broke the franchise’s single-season points record and reached milestones only achieved by all-time greats. This could lead to him breaking some new records with his next contract. [San Jose Sharks]
As the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators face each other Saturday to kick off the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they will do so after having battled through a very similar adversity in the regular season. [Carolina Hurricanes]
