Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Wednesday.
Montreal Canadiens News
Laval Rocket forward Florian Xhekaj clinched the No.9 spot in our Top 20 Canadiens prospects rankings. He’s already defied the odds with a fantastic rookie season in the AHL, and while his production is down this year, his unique skill set should give him the inside track on his counterparts once he’s ready to make the jump to the NHL. [Canadiens Top 20 Prospects: No.9 – Truculent Florian Xhekaj]
Juraj Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki will take part in the semifinals at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Slovakia advanced after beating Germany 6-2, while Suzuki saved the day for Canada versus Czechia, tying the game in the dying moments of the third period. [Canadiens At Olympics: Suzuki Clutch Goal, Slafkovsky Advances]
As per tradition, Suzuki was incredibly humble when discussing his clutch goal.
Nick Suzuki on his game-tying goal for Team Canada 🇨🇦:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) February 18, 2026
“I just felt my linemates changing behind me. I didn’t really wanna just chip it in and change and turn it over. So I just tried to put myself a good puck and get on the forecheck and set up the second line. When I saw it… pic.twitter.com/O1VTf8j679
It should be noted Suzuki was playing down the middle of the ice in the third period, taking over centre duties once Sidney Crosby was forced to leave the game. He was clearly much more comfortable in his natural position.
Jon Cooper: “When the country needed a goal, Nick Suzuki answered.”
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) February 18, 2026
Even though Oliver Kapanen was not in uniform as Finland took on Switzerland, he will join Suzuki and Slafkovsky in the semifinals. Finland was in trouble, as the Swiss held a 2-0 in the third period, but it’s always a mistake to underestimate the Finns in international tournaments. They scored back-to-back goals to tie the game, before former Hab Artturi Lehkonen secured the win with a very nice overtime goal.
HOCKEY M –L'ancien du Canadien Artturi Lehkonen 🇫🇮 complète la remontée de la Finlande et propulse son équipe en demi-finales🤩@LNH_FR#MilanoCortina2026 #rcsports #hockey #jeuxolympiques pic.twitter.com/iCCfkvRqhr
— Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) February 18, 2026
All the players who remained in Montreal have been supporting their teammates from afar. Slovakia, in particular, has captured the attention of many Canadiens skaters.
Juraj Slafkovsky on his Habs teammates watching him at the Olympics:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) February 18, 2026
“I was texting with Cole, Arber, Guhle, all the guys…I know they’re watching and I’m happy. Hopefully they’re cheering for Slovakia 🇸🇰 a little bit too.” pic.twitter.com/og4ZgZvu9U
Dallas Stars defenceman Thomas Harley was beyond relieved when Suzuki scored, though, to his credit, Czechia actually had six skaters on the ice when they took the lead in the third period. It was still a questionable decision on Harley’s part in a tie game, but the goal should have never counted in the first place.
Nobody was happier to see Canada tie the game up than Thomas Harley, after his gaffe led to the Czech's go-ahead goal.
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) February 18, 2026
"I was praying we'd score, and Zukes (Nick Suzuki) came through for me, so I was pretty happy."
"Ohh, I was fired up! I was pretty fired up."
Another week, another accolade for top Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage.
Congrats to Habs prospect Michael Hage on being named the Big Ten First Star of the Week ⭐️
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) February 18, 2026
He now has 12 goals & 30 assists for 42 points in 30 games 🔥
He’s 3rd in points in the NCAA this season. pic.twitter.com/TLkEOLBjjP
Patrik Laine was absent from practice on Tuesday, but the concerns about a setback in his recovery were unfounded, as he joined his teammates on Wednesday morning.
Patrik Laine is on ice for #Habs practice this morning in Brossard after missing yesterday’s practice with lower-body injury pic.twitter.com/2gjnkuSUUf
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) February 18, 2026
Sportsnaut Network
Washington Capitals stars Tom Wilson, Logan Thompson, and Martin Fehervary will all have a shot at a medal. This comes as Canada and Slovakia both won their Olympic quarterfinal games on Wednesday. [Washington Capitals]
It must have been a bittersweet moment for many hockey fans in Toronto, watching Mitch Marner score a stunning overtime winner for Team Canada over Czechia in the Olympic Hockey quarterfinals. [Toronto Maple Leafs]
Bad news incoming. Pittsburgh Penguins captain and concurrently Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby left Canada’s 2026 Winter Olympics quarter-final game against Czechia in the second period on Wednesday. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
