The Montreal Canadiens’ depth, once viewed as a defining strength of their roster, had been put to the test after a pre-season injury sidelined star forward Patrik Laine. Laine’s absence for the first two months of the season left a significant gap in the Canadiens’ lineup, but his return on December 3 has reignited the team’s collective strength and thrust them back into the playoff conversation.
Laine’s impact has been undeniable, scoring eight power-play goals in his first 12 games back. However, it’s not just Laine’s elite scoring that has transformed the Canadiens. His presence has allowed the team’s deep roster to flourish, with offensive contributions coming from all corners. Montreal’s attack has become more diversified, making it a challenge for opponents to key in on specific players or lines.
The Tampa Bay Lightning found this out the hard way on Sunday, falling 5-2 to the Canadiens. Despite the Lightning’s own star-studded roster—including Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Victor Hedman—the Canadiens’ bottom two forward lines were the difference-makers, combining for four goals and generating a 65% share of the shot attempts at five-on-five.
“They’ve been great for us, and they’re getting the rewards,” said Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki. “They’re doing their job defensively and scoring big goals when it matters. Tampa’s a pretty top-heavy team, and it’s hard for them to match up when our bottom six is clicking like this.”
The depth has been evident all season, but the post-December stretch has shown a significant uptick in the effectiveness of the Canadiens’ secondary units. The line of Jake Evans, Emil Heineman, and Joel Armia, in particular, has turned strong defensive play into consistent offensive production. Meanwhile, Christian Dvorak and Brendan Gallagher chipped in goals in Sunday’s win, with Josh Anderson starting both plays.
Head coach Martin St. Louis has praised his team’s ability to play “in waves,” as the Canadiens’ balanced attack has kept opponents on their heels. “We’re starting to feel like everyone is in the right place,” said St. Louis. “We’re coming at teams from all directions.”
The Canadiens’ defensive corps has also seen a boost thanks to recent moves, including the trade that brought defenseman Alex Carrier from Nashville. His addition has stabilized the defensive pairings, providing greater continuity and allowing key players like Kaiden Guhle to settle into more comfortable roles. Carrier has been a solid contributor on the ice, adding two assists in Sunday’s victory, but it’s his presence alongside veteran defenders like David Savard and Arber Xhekaj that has helped create a more cohesive blue line.
“We’re really liking the pairings right now,” said St. Louis. “There’s good chemistry, and the guys are doing their jobs.”
As St. Louis emphasized, the Canadiens’ success has been a collective effort. Players are embracing their roles and buying into the team-first mentality, with selfless play leading to strong individual performances. Mike Matheson summed it up succinctly: “Everyone knows their role, and we’re all pulling in the same direction.”
That cohesive effort has been especially evident during the Canadiens’ post-Christmas trip to Florida, where they pulled off a rare and much-needed sweep. Their 4-0 win over the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Saturday and Sunday’s 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning marked their first back-to-back wins in Florida since 2009. These wins came despite the absence of key players on the opposing teams and a few hiccups along the way, proving that Montreal’s depth is capable of competing with the league’s best.
Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper praised the Canadiens for their consistency and the way they played a “steady, consistent game.” While Cooper acknowledged the Lightning’s struggles, he didn’t shy away from recognizing the Canadiens’ strong performance. “The right team was rewarded,” Cooper said, underscoring the importance of team play.
The Canadiens may not be in a playoff spot just yet, but with five wins in their last six games, they’ve put themselves firmly in the mix. The depth that was supposed to define this team is finally clicking, and with a healthy Laine back in the fold, Montreal is positioned to make a serious push for the postseason in the coming months.
“We’re back where we expected to be when the season started,” said St. Louis. “We just have to keep this momentum going.”
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