Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Friday.
Montreal Canadiens News
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Juraj Slafkovsky is on pace for a career-best season, but where is the increase in production coming from? It’s not a matter of scoring more often at 5v5, alongside his new linemates Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen. Rather, the 21-year-old Slovak is doing most of his damage on the powerplay. [Canadiens Analysis: How Slafkovsky Increased His Production]
Don’t look now, but prospect Bryce Pickford continues to dominate the WHL. As a reminder, Pickford is a defenceman, and yet he leads the entire league with 27 goals, including his marker on Friday as the Medicine Hat Tigers beat the Moose Jaw Warriors 2-0.
That release? Pure confidence. 😤🔥
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 3, 2026
Bryce Pickford doing what he does best extends the @tigershockey lead to 2!@CanadiensMTL | #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/2UHeOb7xE5
Speaking of Pickford, he was named the WHL’s Player of the Month thanks to an excellent showing that led to an impressive 14 goals and eight assists in just nine games.
DECEMBER SUPREMACY!
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 2, 2026
With 14 goals in nine games, @tigershockey defenceman and @CanadiensMTL prospect Bryce Pickford is the Tempo WHL Player of the Month.
📝 | https://t.co/8rveG9Y0Tn pic.twitter.com/CkVLG9Yhlq
Aatos Koivu was benched for the majority of Finland’s game versus Canada at the World Juniors Championship, and was consequently a healthy scratch during Finland’s big 3-2 overtime win versus Team USA on Friday. The good news is that Koivu understands exactly why he was singled out, and accepted responsibility for his mistakes.
Aatos Koivu yesterday on being benched by Finland’s 🇫🇮 coach:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 2, 2026
“I was responsible for Canada's first two goals…I take full responsibility for them. I could have played those situations much better…All I can do is learn from my mistakes.”
“I hope I get another chance.”
👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/jaTx1nxAXi
Alex Belzile enjoyed a four-point night (2G, 2A) as the Laval Rocket beat the Utica Comets 5-4 in overtime. It was Jared Davidson who ended up scoring the game-winning goal, and this will come as no surprise, but he scored via his excellent one timer.
Jared Davidson puts Laval Rocket fans on their feet in OT👏@RocketLaval | #UTCvsLAV pic.twitter.com/YQP3LBQaJu
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) January 3, 2026
Sportsnaut Network
In addition to New Jersey Devils superstar, Jack Hughes, heading to Milan, two additional will be playing for the opposition on Team Sweden. [New Jersey Devils]
After his first hat trick in nearly two years, and a red-hot string of games, the big question around Leaf Land as we get into the new year is, ‘Is Auston Matthews all the way back?’ [Toronto Maple Leafs]
The Florida Panthers went all Miami Vice for their entrance to LoanDepot Park for the NHL Winter Classic on Friday. Even if some of them did not know, exactly, what Miami Vice was. [Florida Panthers]
