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During the Canadiens' game against the Florida Panthers on December 30, québécois Mike Matheson was hit in the face by Brad Marchand.
Not only did the Canadiens defenseman not finish the game in Florida, but he was unable to play last night in Carolina. Even though he was supposed to play in the first place.
Meanwhile, Brad Marchand is taking photos for his team's next game.
The whole crew is here!
Don't miss the 2026 @Discover NHL #WinterClassic TOMORROW at 8p ET on @NHL_On_TNT, @StreamOnMax, @Sportsnet and @TVASports! pic.twitter.com/bympX6JZBC
– NHL (@NHL) January 1, 2026
Playing without Mike Matheson (when will he be back, anyway?) yesterday didn't stop the Canadiens from winning 7-5. But let's just say it made things… er… interesting.
Lane Hutson, who can eat up minutes, had a tougher game defensively. The club also got scored on late in the game, bringing the Canes within a goal of tying the game.
When Matheson's not around, it's not easy. Can't wait for his contract extension, can we?
In fact, yesterday's game explains why the Canadiens are the best team in the East (137) in terms of goals scored… but also the worst club (136) in terms of goals allowed.
As of 10 p.m., the Canadiens are first in the East for goals scored—and the worst club in their conference for goals allowed
– Alexandre Pratt (@alexandrepratt) January 2, 2026
This season, the Canadiens have been without Kaiden Guhle (except for the first five games of the season) and have seen Mike Matheson absent here and there. The goaltending has also been shaky.
This explains the goals-against ratio. And we'll say it again, but yesterday's game clearly illustrates this.
But yesterday's game also highlighted the fact that the Habs attack is capable of getting the job done offensively. More and more guys are stepping up to the plate.
Three players (including Lane Hutson) have scored at least one point per game this season.
THREE Habs players are averaging a point per game and we're halfway through the season.
My thoughts tonight are with Carey Price, who has only played with ONE 80-point player in his entire career: Alex Kovalev… and that was in his rookie year. pic.twitter.com/Am7kciFyD1
– Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) January 2, 2026
We look at the club's top players and see that yesterday, once again, they performed. Captain Nick Suzuki and his friend Cole Caufield found the back of the net.
Lane Hutson scored the insurance goal and picked up an assist.
But what about Ivan Demidov, who found a new way for Oliver Kapanen to score? And Juraj Slafkovsky, who scored in a sequence that showed off his enormous talent?
The guy's gaining confidence and it shows.
Juraj Slafkovsky goes end-to-end and scores from a tough angle. His 14th goal of the year.#GoHabsGo up 6-4. pic.twitter.com/k0rFjdZXR0
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 2, 2026
Seeing such a young Canadiens team (especially without Matheson) give up so many goals is a problem. But to see that same Canadiens team able to score so often is good news.
And that's even if the club can't always pull off a comeback every night.
It's often all or nothing with a young team. The game in Carolina, where the Habs hadn't won since 2016, is an excellent example.
Consistency is hard to come by.
overtime
Following this excellent defensive game, which didn't turn either coach's hair gray (or not), the Canadiens will practice at 1:30 p.m. in Carolina today. What's next? Off to St. Louis for tomorrow's 4 p.m. game.
The Canadiens are well placed in the East, and they'll want to keep the momentum going.
We'll be watching to see if Mike Matheson makes it to practice. We'll also be on the lookout for Josh Anderson, who was unable to finish yesterday's game.
If the guys can't play, the Habs won't have any extra skaters on the road… but Jakub Dobes expects Matheson to be back soon, in fact.
