Adam Engstrom is not expected to return to the AHL

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Adam Engstrom is not expected to return to the AHL
Credit: Getty Images

Last night, the Canadiens played a strong game against the Blackhawks. And this despite the absence of Mike Matheson.

The Canadiens' top defenseman missed a second straight game, but that didn't stop the Canadiens from beating the Hawks 4-1.

The club can thank Lane Hutson, who was excellent once again. 26 minutes of playing time, three assists, a +3 differential… what more could you ask for?

Clearly, Noah Dobson (who bounced back from a rougher start) and Alexandre Carrier, guys who played 22 and 24 minutes yesterday, also had a hand in the victory.

But what about Adam Engstrom?

In his second NHL stint, it's clear that the defenseman is getting comfortable in the NHL. He's never been left out by his coach for more than a week, and his playing time is skyrocketing.

Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble made way for Engstrom before Matheson's injury. But when the québécois returns, it's clear that Engstrom deserves to stay in the NHL—and in the lineup.

When he's got the puck on his stick, the European can make plays. He doesn't just survive in the NHL, and that's exactly what we wanted to see from the Canadiens.

This sequence, in particular, speaks volumes.

He was used for 16:13 yesterday, four seconds less than Arber Xhekaj. And in that time, Jayden Struble spent just over 10 minutes on the ice.

I don't know about you, but I've got a feeling that if Mike Matheson can face the Penguins tomorrow, it won't be Engstrom who bails out and gives up his spot.

If Matheson were to be able to play tomorrow and return to action, that would be good news for the Canadiens, who would have seven healthy guys.

But if not?

The problem is that the trade freeze begins in about 15 hours (at midnight tonight), and a non-emergency recall is not permitted.

The other problem? The Canadiens are playing in Montreal tomorrow, and the Rocket will once again be in Ohio.

In an ideal world, you'd think the Habs would have liked a defenseman to play tomorrow in Cleveland and then join the Habs in Pittsburgh to be the extra defenseman against the Penguins on Sunday.

Except that, barring an additional injury in Montreal, there would be no emergency. So the recall would have to take place before the freeze, which is not desirable for the Canadiens.

So conditions (Mike Matheson's health, the Rocket on the road, and the transaction freeze) are complicating the issue at the moment. What will the Canadiens do with their blue line?

We'll see in due course. But it's possible that the Habs won't recall a defenseman and will adjust in case of emergency. Especially since Marc Del Gaizo, hit by Michael Pezzetta last week, is still out, which complicates the Rocket's task.

But what about the Canadiens game itself?

Last night, in the Habs' win, several players stood out for the right reasons. What do I remember about that game against Chicago?

1. Jakub Dobes faced only 15 shots, and he gave way twice on the first one he got (the first was a disallowed goal and the shot didn't count, so I can put it that way)… but he was excellent. He gave nothing away after that.

He wasn't called upon as much as he was in Sunday's game against the Oilers, but he put in another fine outing. Will he play Saturday night at home or Sunday on the road?

2. At some point, Owen Beck will score… right?

After seeing his first NHL goal disallowed recently (due to offside), we thought he'd scored yesterday. But the goal was awarded to Noah Dobson in a decision so close that even Dobes thought the youngster had scored.

3. Speaking of disallowed goals, there were three yesterday: one for the Hawks (it was blatant obstruction on Dobes) and two (Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson) for an offside issue.

In both cases, it was a close call. In both cases, it took too long. But in both cases, the right decision was made.

4. The Canadiens scored four goals (or six, depending on our version of the story) yesterday. But the ones scored by Zachary Bolduc really did the Québécois good, as he finally scored on home soil. #InHisCountry

A weight was clearly lifted from his shoulders after the first, and the second came quickly. Has the young man found the recipe for scoring at home? If so… watch out for the other teams.

5. Alexandre Texier is making himself at home in Montreal. Like many other players in his new organization, he looks great when he takes to the ice.

He would have had two assists yesterday if all the goals had been good.

6. After a tough night on Tuesday in the face-off circle, things went well last night. The club collectively won about two out of three face-offs (66%) against the Blackhawks.

Jake Evans (88.2%), Joe Veleno (66.7%), Oliver Kapanen (62.5%), and Nick Suzuki (53.3%) were all above the .500 mark… but not Owen Beck, who lost 3/4 of his face-offs.


overtime

If the Canadiens had lost, they wouldn't be in the playoffs this morning. But having won their 11th regular season game, they're at the top of their division in terms of points percentage.

Tight in the East, you say?

(Credit: NHL.com)

The Canadiens, who will play tomorrow at the Bell Centre for the last time in 2025 and twice more on the road between now and Christmas (Pittsburgh on the 21st and Boston on the 23rd), have canceled their morning practice.

It's now a day off in the city following a third straight game that ended 4-1. The guys probably need a rest.

(Credit: NHL.com)

We'll be watching what the Canadiens do on the heels of the transaction freeze, which takes effect tonight. We've talked about the defensemen, and I don't see anything changing for the forwards.

Jared Davidson is still the 13th forward.

Among goaltenders, Samuel Montembeault will play his second game with the Rocket tomorrow in Cleveland, before joining the Habs in Pittsburgh on Sunday. No word yet on whether he'll be activated.

And we'll also be keeping an eye on the transaction market… #PhillipDanault

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