“Larkin to Montreal is what makes sense. But Larkin has got to come around to it and, obviously, he hasn’t as of now,” as stated by Bryan Hayes on TSN. “But the idea of having [Nick] Suzuki and Larkin as your one-two in Montreal with all the firepower on the wing and all of the prospects on the system. That just makes too much sense. And [Larkin] is locked up, like all the other players.”

Out of the four teams Larkin has reportedly given the green light to, only the Minnesota Wild are serious about acquiring him. However, that seriousness can’t help them grow prospects or NHL-ready centers out of trees and reach an agreement with Detroit.

That’s where the Canadiens could enter the conversation. The Habs have it all: the cap space, the prospects, and the trade package. All they are missing, however, is Larkin’s thumbs-up.

Larkin must waive his NTC for Montreal

Signed to a No Trade Clause (NTC), Larkin has the final say. He decides where he will go next. He can’t determine when, though, and is now forced to wait for Detroit’s hiring resolution. Until then, he won’t be headed anywhere in the NHL.

Regardless, sooner or later, the Red Wings will hire Steve Yzerman’s successor, and when that happens, the floodgates may open for Larkin’s trade. If Montreal shows interest in Detroit’s captain, a trade could happen. But it will come down to Larkin and whether he waives his NTC for the Habs.

Moreover, trading Larkin to an Atlantic Division rival might be frowned upon in Motor City, so it won’t exactly be the best way to introduce the new front office in town. Still, the other viable option may be the Wild, and the latter likely won’t have a better offer than the Canadiens. Just like Detroit is wary making a deal with Montreal, Larkin might have his doubts about moving to Canada, as well.

Larkin may not want to move to Montreal

Larkin’s reported four-team trade list paints a clear picture of everything the disgruntled captain is after. His selection of Vegas, Florida, Minnesota, and Dallas hints at three things. Larkin wants to join a Stanley Cup contender and a team with major presence of fellow Team USA gold medalists.

Although his main option is the Wild, the three other choices hint that Larkin also favors an NHL organization in a no-income-tax state. While Stanley Cup contenders, the Canadiens, Montreal, and playing for a Canadian team don’t meet any of the other criteria. In fact, they might all be at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Moreover, the latest trend in the NHL hints that Team USA players are on their way out of the Great White North. Brady Tkachuk asked out of the Ottawa Senators despite being the team captain, while both Auston Matthews and Connor Hellebuyck are surrounded by trade speculation with their respective Canadian clubs, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets.

Who Larkin could reunite with

In Montreal, Larkin could still join forces with Americans Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson, who weren’t Team USA representatives at the 2026 Olympics—which was a controversial decision in its own right and one that led to social media backlash. Larkin and Caufield usually skate together during the offseason, but it remains to be seen if the former would want to join him in Quebec.

At the end of the day, it still feels unlikely that Larkin pulls the trigger on a move across the border. However, judging by how the buzz around him has dried up and considering his main options are unrealistic, Larkin might change his plans.

Minnesota is interested but has its hands tied behind its back. Florida, Vegas, and Dallas are staying idle with their arms crossed. Montreal, on the other hand, has its arms open wide. It’s up to Larkin whether he will accept the hug.

“The fact neither player (Xhekaj and Bolduc) has signed yet leads me to believe they could become part of sign-and-trade deals,” Stu Cowan reported on Montreal Gazette.

Though a fan favorite, Xhekaj’s name isn’t new to the NHL rumor mill, with many reports linking the Canadiens’ blueliner to a trade before the start of the new season. Bolduc hasn’t been mentioned nearly as much since arriving in Montreal but is no stranger to it either, as he landed in the City of Saints in a trade from the St. Louis Blues.

Xhekaj’s situation

Xhekaj’s second NHL contract, a two-year, $2.6 million deal, expired after the 2025-26 season. The energetic defenseman remains an RFA, but the Habs have yet to hand him an extension. Although he was eligible, Xhekaj opted not to file for arbitration, making no use of the leverage-gaining maneuver.

Xhekaj and his camp aren’t asking for a big contract, and the Canadiens, who have over $9 million in cap space, could very well afford an extension. However, it’s clear the Habs have their doubts about re-signing the 25-year-old bottom-pairing defenseman.

Through 230 games in his career, Xhekaj has recorded 10 goals and 23 assists. At times, he may provide a spark for the team, but at others, he may turn into a liability. Last season, for example, Xhekaj tallied just four points but 116 penalty minutes (PIM) in 65 outings. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Xhekaj appeared in 13 games for the Canadiens, logging only two points yet 28 PIM.

Bolduc’s NHL future

While Xhekaj came into the league undrafted, Bolduc was a first-round selection in 2021, which is part of the reason why his situation raises so many questions for Montreal. St. Louis had its doubts about him and chose to trade the Quebec native back to his home province.

However, his first year in Quebec’s metropolis wasn’t much better. Playing in a contract year with his entry-level contract expiring, Bolduc totaled 30 points in 78 games for the Habs. Still, it doesn’t seem to have been enough for the front office to be impressed. Bolduc wasn’t arbitration-eligible, unlike Xhekaj, who was but chose not to go down that path.

Different realities could lead to same fate

In many ways, Bolduc and Xhekaj’s situations have nothing to do with each other. It’s only that both situations lie in the hands of Montreal, and reports hint they could be in for a similar fate.

Offer sheets are another alternative, and perhaps a reasonable one for teams not looking to negotiate with the Habs. However, with both Bolduc and Xhekaj trending toward signing low-AAV deals, there’s reason to believe an offer sheet could be matched by Montreal, leading back to square one, where a sign-and-trade might be the most reasonable option.

According to Herb Zurkowsky from the Montreal Gazette, the Rangers are one of the teams linked to Laine ever since free agency began in the NHL on July 1. Over a month has passed and not much progress has been made, but the Blueshirts could still be looking into the veteran winger.

When it comes to Laine, such a slow-cooking process was to be expected. Laine only played five games for the Canadiens last season and underwent core muscle surgery, so there are a lot of questions that need answering before any team makes him a contract offer.

If the once-lethal sniper can brush those concerns aside and prove himself, he could be an intriguing addition for a team like New York. That’s still a big if, and at a time when the Blueshirts need to bring certainties onto the roster rather than more question marks.

Do the Rangers need Laine?

Laine would bring many questions of his own if he were to sign in Manhattan. He has appeared in just 75 games over the past three seasons, which should raise concerns for any front office and coaching staff. However, there may be reason to believe the rest he had throughout the 2025-26 NHL campaign could pay off. Maybe Laine could come into the 2026-27 season energized. And for the Rangers, he could be a key addition.

Realistically, if he is at his best, Laine could be a 15-to-25-goal player for New York. As things stand, a third-line role would work best for both sides, with Laine also chiming in on the power play, where his sniper’s abilities would make him a headache for opponents.

However, it’s all potential. Everybody in the NHL knows what Laine is capable of in his prime; the gist of the problem is that Laine seems long gone from his peak form. It might take some time to get Laine back to playing with confidence, and an anxious market like New York may not give him that luxury. If the price is right, the Blueshirts could add Laine on a prove-it deal. The Rangers aren’t the only ones with that line of thought, however.

Maple Leafs showing interest

As reported by Zurkowsky, the Toronto Maple Leafs are another team interested in Laine. The Leafs’ appearance is unsurprising, considering they’ve been linked to Laine for some time now.

Still, it’s noteworthy that the interest remains the same despite the recent front-office overhaul in Hogtown. The Minnesota Wild, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Philadelphia Flyers are other franchises reportedly considering Laine.

This team needs an experienced and talented right winger, something the Russian forward could clearly provide. However, is Tarasenko willing to accept a low-cost deal in order to join a contender?

“Vladimir Tarasenko is still unsigned,” the insider Marco D’Amico said during a recent episode of The Starr and D’Amico Show. “You know, a one-year deal in the $1.5 – $2 million range if he so accepts. He was almost a 50-point player last year.”

He also added: “And he’s used to playing with a guy like [Ivan] Demidov, because he played with [Kirill] Kaprizov. So maybe that’s how you appease in the short term, and then as the season continues, if a player like Marchenko, or another winger… you’re able to add from there. But it doesn’t cost you assets.”

Numbers that could help the Canadiens

In his most recent campaign, Vladimir Tarasenko proved he can still deliver solid middle-six scoring, putting up 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points. Should he land with the Montreal Canadiens, those numbers highlight exactly what he would bring to the table: secondary scoring depth, power-play finishing, and veteran leadership for a young, developing roster.

While he may no longer be a top-line playmaking line-driver, his nose for the net and playoff pedigree make him a plug-and-play target to instantly boost Canadiens’ scoring depth on the wing.

What will happen with Patrik Laine?

Injuries took a toll on Patrik Laine during his last season with the Montreal Canadiens, and he will look for a bounce-back campaign starting next season. The New York Islanders have shown interest in his services, making them a potential destination for the player.

Not only did the Islanders scout him, but his shooting ability also attracted the New Jersey Devils, who showed interest in acquiring the veteran player. As a result, Laine’s options at this stage of his career remain open.

According to a report around the NHL, the Islanders have reached out to Laine and his camp. However, Laine’s next contract—if he even gets one—will look nothing like his previous deal, which was a topic of conversation in its own right. In fact, the Isles may be willing to offer Laine nothing more than minimum interest—and as a result—compensation.

“From what I’ve been told, the Islanders did have conversations with Patrik Laine’s camp when free agency opened. I don’t believe the Islanders were willing, or are willing, to offer Laine anything more than a tryout,” Stefen Rosner stated on The Elmonters podcast.

Much has changed for Laine

Back in July 2022, Laine put pen to paper on a four-year, $34.8 million contract in the NHL. Under that deal, he was set to earn an average of $8.7 million per season over four years. However, nothing went right for the Finnish sniper. From the moment he signed the extension in Columbus, Laine appeared in just 130 of a possible 328 games.

Not only that, but Laine was traded to Montreal in 2024. He showed flashes of his goal-scoring ability by scoring 20 goals in 52 games in Quebec’s Metropolis, but that was about it.

Last season, Laine underwent core muscle surgery. He was limited to just five games all season and wasn’t in consideration for a spot on the active roster during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Laine hasn’t played an NHL game since Oct. 16, 2025. Over his last 20 games across the past two seasons, he has recorded just six points.

Things aren’t looking great for Laine

All in all, the concerns surrounding Laine are numerous, and the guarantees simply aren’t there. As a result, any team interested in him will exercise extra caution and will likely prefer signing him to a professional tryout (PTO) rather than committing guaranteed money.

Whether Laine signs with a team or goes out of business in the NHL could come down to whether he looks anything close to the winger who once scored 44 goals in a season—or at least to the 20-goal scorer he was two seasons ago. Some believe Laine’s time in the league has come to an end. The truth is, he’ll have to earn his way back, even if that’s something a former second overall pick probably never expected to face.

It may be hard for Laine to accept, but that’s the direction things appear to be heading. From signing a contract with an $8.7 million cap hit to having to try out for a roster spot. Life comes at you fast in the NHL, and Laine’s journey is another example of it.

Laine appeared in only five games during the 2025-26 NHL season. He was placed on injured reserve (IR) by the Canadiens after undergoing surgery for a core muscle injury in October and was expected to miss three to four months.

After missing all 19 of Montreal’s games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Laine revealed during the Canadiens‘ locker-room cleanout day that he had actually been healthy enough to play. He did not seem too upset about being sidelined, and a recent report may explain exactly why.

“There was incentive for Laine to stay on IR. He will now be able to sign a bonus laden contract as a UFA with a lower base salary which will make him more appealing to teams,” Pierre LeBrun from TSN reported on his X account.

Laine had lost appeal for NHL teams

For the time being, Laine needs to make himself as appealing as possible to the rest of the NHL. Inconsistency and injury concerns have taken their toll on the former second-overall pick in 2016 and on his reputation. In search of his next contract, Laine must prove he can be trusted, and ironically, being out for most of the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs may have actually benefited him.

When playing on a contract year, it’s usually the other way around. Players need to put up strong numbers to convince either their current team or potential suitors around the league. Laine has shown time and again that he is no average Joe in the NHL, and his situation heading into unrestricted free agency is yet another example.

Laine’s contract and history in NHL

Laine’s four-year, $34.8 million contract, signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022, expires at the end of June. On July 1, Laine will become a UFA and will likely join the fourth different club of his NHL career.

Drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016, he was traded to Columbus in 2021 before being shipped to Quebec’s Metropolis in 2024. During his time in Montreal, Laine appeared in just 57 games (52 during the 2024-25 regular season), as well as two postseason outings that year. He recorded 20 goals and 14 assists for the Habs.

Off to new chapter after Habs’ stint

Most likely, he has reached the end of his chapter with the Canadiens. If that’s the case, his time in the City of Saints comes to an end with a 0.60 points-per-game average.

Needless to say, the 28-year-old winger must find his footing at his next destination. There’s no doubt Laine possesses one of the best one-timers in the league and the sniper-like efficiency to cash in on power plays. However, that’s about as far as his résumé goes.

Unless he is willing to lower his salary demands, teams may not be too eager to add the Finnish talent, who is an asset on the man advantage yet somewhat of a liability beyond that. Fortunately, his lengthy absence this season should naturally lower both his market value and cap hit, making Laine less of a risky venture than he otherwise would be.

If that is the case, the Broadway Blueshirts may be his preferred destination, but another Original Six franchise may have a say in the matter. In the event that McDavid asks out of the Gateway to the North, there are reportedly two organizations expected to lead the sweepstakes: the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens.

“Montreal and New York (Rangers) would therefore be two of the few places [McDavid] would consider,” Marc-Olivier Beaudoin of BPM Sports reported on his X account. “In the event of a situation where he wanted to leave Edmonton, the CH would be on his very short list of a few teams where he would agree to be traded. Or to sign if he reaches full autonomy on July 1, 2028.“

NY Rangers lack assets

On paper, there may be no offer good enough for the Oilers to part with the best player in the NHL. However, in reality, Edmonton may not have much of a choice.

That is why a team like the Rangers could be in the mix despite having a prospect pool that remains a work in progress and draft assets that do not match those of several other organizations around the league. At the end of the day, everything is balanced out by a key factor: urgency.

That same factor led the Toronto Maple Leafs to trade Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights and, in return, acquire only Nicolas Roy. In any other situation, such an offer would not even be considered. When the clock is ticking and unrestricted free agency is knocking on the door, that is when anything goes.

Timing is NY Rangers’ ally

For a team like the Rangers, that urgency may well put them in the lead. If McDavid wants to go there, he will most likely get his wish fulfilled one way or another. McDavid could ask to be traded or wait it out and sign in the Big Apple—or the City of Saints—as a UFA.

The Rangers would have to wait until 2028 for the latter outcome. That may be a good thing, though, as they could further improve their asset pool in the meantime. Plus, the Blueshirts have time to spare—and so do the Habs, albeit to a different extent. The Oilers do not. They are in a race against the clock, and nothing has gone their way as of late.

McDavid’s contract situations raises concerns for Oilers

The Oilers are set to enter the first season of McDavid’s two-year, $25 million contract. Once it expires, he will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) unless Edmonton convinces him to stay.

At the moment, having lost in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, fired its head coach, and been blocked from reaching top target Bruce Cassidy, it appears either that McDavid is deeply committed to the city and the club or that he genuinely believes a Stanley Cup is imminent in Edmonton—some might say he’s delusional if it’s the latter.

McDavid’s deal includes a full no-movement clause (NMC). That could come back to bite the Oilers. It means McDavid holds all the cards when it comes to his future. If he asks out, he will only waive his clause to join a team of his choosing.

Rangers and Canadiens could face dream scenario

If the Habs and Rangers are indeed his top priorities, they would have little reason to overpay—or even pay full value—for the best player in the NHL. If Edmonton refuses to accept New York’s and Montreal’s lowball offers, that is fine with them. They could simply wait for his contract to expire and pursue him in free agency.

For the Oilers, that is the worst-case scenario in a situation that is already a nightmare made flesh for the organization. With every passing second that Edmonton’s championship window closes, the door opens on a trade request from McDavid. In that event, the Oilers would be left with no choice but to fulfill their captain’s demands.

If not, they risk losing him to free agency, and Stan Bowman knows that could come at a steep cost to both his job security and his reputation around the league. After all, which team would give the man who lost the most talented player in the league to free agency another shot? Still, the NHL—more often than not—operates in mysterious ways.

McDavid wants to win in Edmonton

McDavid made that crystal clear ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season. When he addressed the media after re-signing on a team-friendly, two-year deal, the Oilers’ captain expressed that his ultimate goal is always to win the Stanley Cup—and to do so in Northern Alberta.

However, his commitment to the city can only go so far. He will turn 30 midway through next season. Indeed, McDavid wants to win in Edmonton, but his desire to win comes first. If the recent trend continues and the Oilers keep steering away from the decisions that would make them true contenders, McDavid could finally raise his hand, ask out, and shut the door on his future in the Gateway to the North.

Needless to say, the organization could enter a downward spiral, and heads may roll. There is only one way out of this mess for the Oilers: winning.

It did not take long for the winger to hoist his first Stanley Cup, as he won the Cup in 1986 with the Habs. Wherever he went in the NHL, wins followed. His style of play continues to influence players across the league.

Lemieux was the classic prototype of a forward you love when he is on your team and hate when he is not. More often than not, that description fits natural-born winners best, and Lemieux was no exception. His immediate impact on the Canadiens earned him an eternal place among the franchise’s most beloved players.

In fact, Lemieux recently raised the torch in Montreal’s pregame ritual before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final. His appearance at Bell Centre earlier this week makes his passing all the more difficult to digest and comprehend—if there is even a way to do so.

Lemieux’s Stanley Cup conquests

Though unrelated to Mario Lemieux, Claude made his last name proud with a remarkable career. He joined a very short list of players to have won the Stanley Cup with three different teams. Claude Lemieux hoisted Lord Stanley four times in his career: in 1986 with the Montreal Canadiens, 1995 with the Colorado Avalanche, and 1996 and 2000 with the New Jersey Devils.

Furthermore, Lemieux won the Conn Smythe Trophy for his production during the 1995 conquest. During those Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Quebecker registered 16 points (13 goals and 3 assists) in 20 games for the Devils.

Lemieux represented Canada Hockey multiple times and helped his country crown itself champion in the 1985 World Junior Hockey Championship and the 1987 Canada Cup. Time and again, Claude proved to be a winner. Winning was all he did in the NHL, and it is what he will forever be remembered for in Montreal, Denver, Newark, and across the entire league.

Lemieux’s stats

Across his long NHL career—which extended over three different decades and two different centuries—Lemieux played 1,215 games, registering 379 goals and 407 assists for a total of 786 points. He ended his career with a 0.65 points-per-game average.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, however, he became a different beast—an untamable one at that. Across 234 postseason games, Lemieux recorded 158 points (80 G, 78 A), posting a 0.68 points-per-game average.

Following his crowning with the Devils in 2000, Lemieux had one-year stints with the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars in 2001-02 and 2002-03, respectively. After a five-year hiatus, Lemieux returned for his final NHL season in 2008-09, in which he played one game for the San Jose Sharks before hanging up the skates.

“It would be nice to be up 2-1, but we’re not because of me,” Hutson stated after the game, via NHL.com. “It’s frustrating.” While Hutson threw himself under the bus for the loss, head coach Martin St. Louis believes it didn’t come down to one player’s mistake. Teams win and lose together, and he made that clear.

“I didn’t love the play, but whatever,” St. Louis confessed. “It’s what’s next and we didn’t do what’s next. We didn’t get the job done.” The Canadiens are down 2-1. Another loss on home ice in Game 4 would put them with their backs against the wall and on the brink of elimination in the 2025-26 NHL season.

Hutson is in the eye of the Hurricanes

Carolina kept its word. The Hurricanes reportedly confirmed Hutson was in their crosshairs, and they indeed went after him. In fact, just seconds before his costly giveaway in overtime, William Carrier caught Hutson up high with an elbow, which either went unnoticed—or simply uncalled—by the officials.

Carolina knows the best way to keep Hutson in check is by continuously tearing down the undersized blueliner with checks, hits, and some extra shenanigans that, if unpenalized, can turn into a major advantage for the Hurricanes. So far, it has been a formula for success. Taylor Hall hit Hutson’s knee in Game 2, Carrier targeted his head in Game 3, and both contests were won by the Canes in overtime.

That is not to say the Hurricanes are only up in the series because they are playing dirty. Carolina has looked like the far better team, limiting the Montreal Canadiens to just 25 shots on goal over the past two games. The Habs’ blowout win in the series opener taught the Canes a lesson, and the CH has yet to regain its footing.

Canadiens not out—yet

Perhaps the Canadiens will have to push back against the Hurricanes’ antics and meet their aggressiveness somewhere in the middle. If you cannot beat them, join them. The way coach St. Louis’ team has played over the past two outings, it does not look like they can advance past the Canes and into the Stanley Cup Final.

There is a silver lining, though. Montreal has only lost one-goal games decided in overtime. As much trouble as they are in—and as rough as their past few games have been to watch—the Canadiens are still only one game down in the series, and one lucky bounce may well become the difference-maker in the series’ momentum.

One win and it’s a new series

Right now, control mostly rests in the hands of the City of Oaks representatives, but the hockey club from the City of Saints has shown the patience of a saint and the resilience of an oak tree. Combine those two, and the Habs may have the best of both worlds in the Eastern Conference Final.

Still, it is all wishful thinking. If nothing changes, the Hurricanes will keep going after Hutson, keep hemming the Habs into their own zone, and keep throwing everything they have at Jakub Dobes. The time for action is now. In Quebec’s metropolis, the sirens have gone off on the Island of Montreal: there is a hurricane warning.

“The Hurricanes have no intention of going any easier on Lane Hutson. I spoke this morning with Jaccob Slavin, Jalen Chatfield, and Logan Stankoven, and all three confirmed to me that hitting ‘Montreal’s playmaker’ was part of their game plan,” as reported by Anthony Martineau of TVA Sports. “We have no choice but to play him tight, but legally,” Stankoven commented.

Since Hall collided with Hutson against the boards in Game 2, momentum shifted in the Eastern Conference Final series. The Hurricanes have found their footing and came away with a crucial victory to even the series at one game apiece. As the series heads to Montreal, it’s all tied up.

Momentum shifted in series

The 3-2 overtime win in Game 2 was paramount in more ways than one for the Canes. They needed it to exorcise their playoff demons, namely the ghosts of Conference Finals past. It was Carolina’s first home-ice win in this stage since 2006.

Since then, the Hurricanes had gone 0-9 in conference final games in Raleigh. The Canes are not out of the woods yet, but they chopped down the Habs—and aim to keep doing so—while snapping a long-standing hex in the City of Oaks.

Unfortunately for Hutson and the Canadiens, they are not off the chopping block just yet. Unless Montreal fights back and matches Carolina’s aggressiveness, the Canadiens could be in for very long games—but not a very long series.

Hutson remains calm

“I’m not too worried about it. I mean, it’s been happening all playoffs for everyone so it’s not just me, it’s everyone,” Hutson said, via Priyanta Emrith on X. “The game happens so fast I’m not saying [Hall] intended to do anything crazy. I put myself in a bad spot and he took advantage.”

Hutson’s statement sends a calming message to the fanbase in the City of Saints. The star blueliner was seen practicing with no signs of discomfort ahead of Game 3, and all indications point to him being at full capacity for the upcoming showdown.

The entire metropolis is buzzing as the CH prepares to host its first conference finals home game with no attendance restrictions at Bell Centre since 2014. It’s been a long time coming, the Habs won’t be intimidated by the Canes’ antics. At least, their fans certainly hope not.

“Being 1-1 is a good spot on the road. I think we can just go back home with a lot of confidence that we can beat these guys in the series,” Suzuki admitted in his press conference, via NHL.com.

Coming into the 2025-26 NHL season, not many expected the Canadiens to be competing right at the doorstep of the Stanley Cup Final. Still, they have found a way, and their captain will not give up at the first sign of trouble. Plus, anybody could have seen the series being split through the opening games. Based on how the postseason has gone for Montreal so far, it felt inevitable.

Same old Montreal

The Habs are 9-7 so far in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They have won consecutive games in a series only once, and that came in Games 2 and 3 against the Buffalo Sabres. Thus, fans in Montreal were not exactly surprised to see the team fall in Game 2 after prevailing in the series opener.

Plus, coming away with one win during the trip to Raleigh is not a bad outcome by any means. Up until this point, no team had defeated Carolina on the road—nor at home, for that matter. Still, it is all about having a strong homestand in Games 3 and 4. According to head coach Martin St. Louis, the Habs must relax.

“I feel like we want to do it for [our fans] so bad that sometimes we just try too hard and look out of sorts a bit,” St. Louis stated. “I just think we need to take a deep breath and understand that they are behind us.”

Series schedule

Games 1 and 2 are in the books. The Eastern Conference Final will head to the City of Saints for Games 3 and 4 before returning south to the City of Oaks. Game 5 is already guaranteed, but whether the series will go six or seven games is still up in the air. A spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final is up for grabs, and there is no distance either team is unwilling to go.

• Game 3: Hurricanes at Canadiens, May 25th
• Game 4: Hurricanes at Canadiens, May 27th
• Game 5: Canadiens at Hurricanes, May 29th
• Game 6: Hurricanes at Canadiens, May 31st (If necessary)
• Game 7: Canadiens at Hurricanes, June 2nd (If necessary)