Marc Dumont
It would be very difficult to argue against the unexpected impact of the Montreal Canadiens depth players in the 2026 NHL Playoffs.
While the first line has scored exactly one goal at 5v5, the top five goalscorers are far from who you’d consider star players in Montreal.
Alex Newhook leads the charge with five goals, with Kirby Dach following closely behind having scored four times. Once we cross the chasmic gap between the aforementioned players and the rest of the lineup, we reach the players who have managed to score two goals: Alexandre Texier, Zachary Bolduc, and Josh Anderson.
Yes, you read that right, only Newhook, Dach, Texier, Bolduc, and Anderson have scored more than one 5v5 goal.
It’s a very interesting, if not concerning split for the youngest team in the NHL.
Room For One More Veteran
And yet, I’d argue there’s space for one more veteran in the mix.
A veteran who happens to be the oldest player in the organization.
Yes, I’m talking about none other than Brendan Gallagher, oft-maligned winger who receives much more criticism than he deserves, while also acknowledging that his talent level has diminished significantly in recent years.
Consider this: In three playoff games, not only has Gallagher scored a goal, the Habs outclassed the Lightning by a huge margin every time he was on the ice.
During his shifts, the Canadiens controlled almost 70 percent of the shots, expected goals, and high-danger scoring chances.
The sample size is tiny, but Gallagher has provided the Habs with the best individual results in the playoffs from an underlying numbers standpoint.
More importantly, Gallagher quickly made his way to his natural habitat, bothering opposing goalies with the greatest of ease by creating chaos in the crease.
On top of disturbing opposing netminders, he quickly drives his coverage up the wall, leading to a frustrated, unfocused opponent.
The playoffs are truly made for players like Gallagher.
And you know that he will never hesitate to put his body on the line to ensure his team gains any minor advantage.
This battled-tested lion won’t roam the Savannah forever, but it’s fairly clear that he’s not quite satisfied with his final hunt.
Considering his dedication to the organization, not to mention his excellent on-ice numbers, using Brendan Gallagher versus the Buffalo Sabres may lead to the type of small advantage that can turn a series in Montreal’s favour.
All Montreal Canadiens and Brendan Gallagher statistics via Natural Stat Trick.
