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Habs Get “Perfect” Result in Vegas, Continue Treacherous Schedule vs. Carolina

By Sebastian Valasek

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 05: Chandler Stephenson #20 of the Vegas Golden Knights faces off with Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at T-Mobile Arena on March 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 05: Chandler Stephenson #20 of the Vegas Golden Knights faces off with Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at T-Mobile Arena on March 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /
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Montreal “beat” Vegas. Although the team, rightfully, will not throw games away, we, the fans, can still celebrate in silence when the Habs play a great game, the youth shows up, and the team gets zero points to show for it. In the coming weeks, the Canadiens’ schedule comprises many of the league’s most dangerous teams. The Vegas game plan should serve as a blueprint for gaining the most from that stretch.

This late in the season, the best outcome for the Canadiens on any given night is precisely what they got against the Golden Knights on Monday. Losing by one goal against the contending Knights is no small feat, but it comes with the same “reward” as a 3, 5, or 10-goal loss does. Clear signs of individual and team progress are the most essential thing a rebuilding team can show its fans. It is, after all, about the process, not the result. Secondary to that is drafting well and drafting high. The latter of those two is aided by losing games.

With the Canadiens’ late-season schedule featuring the NHL’s very best, they are in an excellent position to play good hockey and prove themselves individually to management and coaching while still competing with the lowly teams at the bottom of the standings. It also makes for far more entertaining games if Vegas is to serve as any indication.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JULY 02: Jesperi Kotkaniemi #15 of the Montreal Canadiens skates by as Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with teammates after scoring against Carey Price #31 during the second period in Game Three of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Bell Centre on July 02, 2021 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JULY 02: Jesperi Kotkaniemi #15 of the Montreal Canadiens skates by as Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates with teammates after scoring against Carey Price #31 during the second period in Game Three of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Bell Centre on July 02, 2021 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Montreal continues its tough stretch of games tonight against the Metropolitan division-leading Carolina Hurricanes. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, our former prized possession, is coming off an offensive explosion of five points against the mighty Tampa Bay Lightning. The ‘Canes also roster former captain Max Pacioretty, who sadly has missed almost the entire season due to a poorly handled Achilles injury. Nevertheless, our current Canadiens will do their best to wage battle against an elite opponent, and moral victories are very much on the table for our rebuilding squad.

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