Martin St-Louis responds to Chris Pronger’s criticism of his team

On Saturday night, speaking on Sportsnet, Chris Pronger criticized the Canadiens.

He said he thinks the Canadiens will struggle in the playoffs because the neutral zone will be crowded and teams will play more physically. Which, on paper, makes sense.
He doesn't believe the Montreal team will be able to move the puck as easily as they did during the regular season. And in Pronger's view, that will affect the Canadiens' performance.
Pronger's comments made their way to Montreal, as Martin St-Louis mentioned them today. And let's just say the Canadiens' captain didn't necessarily appreciate Pronger saying that openly:
“I don't think about what Chris Pronger says about my team. To win games, you do what it takes.” — Martin St-Louis
That's pretty… clear.

“I don't think about what he says about my team”https://t.co/ibx4uEDJ4f
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) March 19, 2026

At the same time, Martin St-Louis's reaction is understandable.

He has a plan for his team to play the way he wants… and it's not Chris Pronger, Gary Bettman, or Mike at Rona who's going to convince him to change his ways. I actually think St-Louis doesn't give a damn about outside opinion.

The Canadiens' coach has been like that his entire career, after all…

That said, Pronger has a point in a way because it's true that the game will be tighter during the playoffs.The Canadiens will have to find a way to limit the space for the opposing team's players on the ice by employing a slightly different system… but we mustn't forget one thing either: the Habs have the speed to compete with any team in the league.
And that's what could help the Montreal team neutralize their opponents, even if the play gets tighter and more physical.

We'll see how it plays out when the time comes.

In a nutshell
— He's right.

Lane Hutson today on the Habs' playoff race:
“It's a good pressure to have. We put ourselves in a pretty good spot…It's a good challenge for us, we're just attacking it head on.”

“You know you're doing something right when every game is the most important one.” pic.twitter.com/afgzaacCmn
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) March 19, 2026
— Nice quote.

“The playoffs are tough, and you need players willing to work hard in the corners to succeed. We had guys ready to handle those situations [Weber, Edmundson, himself] and that's why we went far.”

Ben Chiarot opened up… pic.twitter.com/2AHMn0SgNX
— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) March 19, 2026

— That would be ideal.

Gilbert is convinced the Canadiens will win tonight against Detroit! pic.twitter.com/uX3vaz6nj2— BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) March 19, 2026

– It's over for Ryan Johansen.

Always a @PredsNHL
Ryan Johansen has announced his retirement after 13 seasons in the League. pic.twitter.com/DL5xLHK3HY
— NHL (@NHL) March 19, 2026