Renee: Macklin Celebrini just buried a power-play goal in overtime to steal it from the Habs, and Nick Suzuki’s two-point night wasn’t enough. We’re back in the Windy City tonight.
Joel: It hurts, Renee. You play well, you get the points from your captain, but that defensive lapse on the PP gives up the winner. It’s a tough pill to swallow.
Renee: That’s right. Welcome to today’s Beatline episode. I’m Renee, and this is Joel. We are talking about the Montreal Canadiens’ next matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Joel: Hey everyone. Yeah, we’re looking at a quick turnaround here. The Habs drop a 4-3 heartbreaker Tuesday night and have to bounce back Thursday night in Chicago.
Renee: Here is what we’ve got for you today. First, we break down the storylines heading into this non-conference clash with Chicago. Second, we look at who is actually healthy and who is missing from the lineup. And third, we give you our keys to the game and a bold prediction.
Joel: Sounds like a solid plan. Let’s dive into it.
Renee: Okay, let’s start with the matchup. Montreal is sitting at 4-3 overall, ninth in the Eastern Conference. They’re coming off a loss to San Jose, but they’ve been competitive. Chicago is 3-6 in the Central Division. What’s the vibe going into this one?
Joel: Well, Renee, you have to look at the momentum. The Habs lost in overtime, sure, but they were in the game until the very end. Macklin Celebrini scored his second goal of the game on a power play at 2:13 of OT. That’s a quality strike. But Chicago? They’re struggling. Three wins and six losses is not where you want to be early in the season.
Renee: Right. So on paper, this feels like a win for Montreal, but we know how tricky away games can be. Especially when you’re dealing with some injury issues. Do you think the fact that Chicago is so young and inexperienced works in Montreal’s favor?
Joel: I think it does, but only if Montreal doesn’t get complacent. When you’re playing a team like Chicago that has a 3-6 record, there’s a temptation to think, 'We’ll just out-skate them.' But you saw against San Jose—when you lose focus on the penalty kill, it costs you. Chicago might not have the firepower of San Jose, but they’re desperate. Teams at 3-6 are usually trying to find their identity.
Renee: Exactly. And Montreal has the experience now. They’ve been through these ups and downs. Nick Suzuki had a two-point game against the Sharks, which was huge. He’s been consistent all year. Do you think the pressure is on Montreal to win this one to keep pace in the East?
Joel: The pressure isn’t necessarily on them to win *this* game specifically, but every game matters. Being ninth in the conference means they’re in the mix, but they’re also on the bubble. A loss to a 3-6 team would be catastrophic for their standing. So yes, mentally, they need to treat this as a must-win to stay confident.
Renee: And let’s not forget, this is a non-conference matchup. Sometimes those games feel different because the standings implications aren’t immediate between the two teams. But for Montreal, it’s about building points. Stick with us, we’re going to talk about the roster moves next.
Joel: Let’s talk injuries, because this list is long. Sam Montembeault is on IR. Florian Xhekaj is on IR. Ivan Demidov is on IR. Bryce Pickford is on IR. Kyle Keyser is on IR. Quentin Musty is on IR. That’s six players on injured reserve alone.
Renee: Wow. Six on IR. And then you have Joel Matheson and Alexander Wennberg listed as Day-To-Day. So, who is actually dressed for this game in Chicago?
Joel: As of now, the starting goalie is Jacob Fowler. We predicted he’d start after the loss to San Jose, and he did. With Montembeault still out, Fowler is the man. He needs to step up. The defense pairings will likely feature Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson, maybe pairing with Adam Engstrom or Arber Xhekaj depending on who is available. Joel Matheson is day-to-day, so if he’s out, that’s another body needed.
Renee: And up front, Chris Kreider is there. Juraj Slafkovsky. Cole Caufield. Josh Anderson. They’ve got some heavy hitters. But losing guys like Demidov and Xhekaj takes away some depth. How do you manage those lines with so many holes?
Joel: You shorten the bench. You rely on your top lines more. Nick Suzuki is going to have to carry a heavier load. Remember, against San Jose, he had a goal and an assist. He’s leading the team in points. Alex Newhook and Phillip Danault are crucial for balance. If the bottom six can chip in, it helps Suzuki and Caufield rest a bit.
Renee: Right. And Cole Caufield—he scored two goals in OT against Buffalo earlier in the week. He’s got that confidence. But against San Jose, he didn’t score. Does that worry you? Or is it just part of the grind?
Joel: It’s part of the grind. Caufield is a sniper; he goes through slumps. But his shot is always dangerous. Against Chicago, if they leave anything open in the slot, he’s going to bury it. The key is getting him traffic in front. With Florian Xhekaj on IR, that physicality in front of the net is missed. So Alexandre Texier or Zack Bolduc might need to create more screen opportunities.
Renee: So, Fowler in net, shortened bench, relying on Suzuki and Caufield. It’s a tall order. But before we get to our keys to the game, we want to take a quick moment to ask for your support. If you’ve enjoyed our deep dives into the Canadiens’ roster and strategy, please consider chipping in to help keep the show free and daily. Just head over to the link in the episode description. Every bit helps us bring you this coverage. Thanks for listening.
Joel: Thanks for that. Okay, keys to the game. Number one: Penalty Kill. We gave up a goal on the PP in OT to San Jose. You cannot afford to do that again. Chicago might not have the elite talent of Celebrini, but they will capitalize on mistakes. Get your forecheck in, block shots, clear the zone.
Renee: Agreed. And number two: Neutral-zone play. Chicago is young. They turn the puck over. Montreal needs to hit them hard in the neutral zone, force turnovers, and transition quickly. If they let Chicago set up their offense, it becomes a grind. Speed wins here.
Joel: Exactly. And number three: Goaltending. Jacob Fowler needs to make the big saves early. If he gets settled, Montreal can control the pace. If he starts shaky, the defense gets rattled. We talked about Fowler yesterday, and I stand by my prediction that he stays in net. He’s earned it.
Renee: So, bold prediction time. I’m going to say Montreal wins this one. 4-2. Why? Because Chicago is too inconsistent, and Montreal has too much talent in the top six. Suzuki and Caufield will light it up.
Joel: I’ll go with Montreal, but I’m thinking lower scoring. 3-1. I think Fowler makes a few key saves, and Nick Suzuki gets another point. Maybe even two. He’s been reliable. But I don’t think it’s a blowout. Chicago will hang around. But Montreal takes it.
Renee: 3-1 Montreal. I like it. It’s realistic. It accounts for the defensive lapses we saw against San Jose but acknowledges the talent advantage. Alright, let’s wrap this up.
Joel: So, recap: Montreal faces Chicago on Thursday. They need to fix their penalty kill, manage their injuries, and get contributions from beyond the top line. Fowler starts. Suzuki leads the way.
Renee: If you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review the Beatline Podcast Network. It helps more fans find us. Share this episode with a fellow Habs fan.
Joel: Go Habs Go.
Renee: Thanks for listening. We’ll see you next time.