Montreal Canadiens: Sean Monahan Dominant In 4-3 Over Patrick Roy’s Islanders

When the Montreal Canadiens needed a hero, Sean Monahan came up clutch securing a 4-3 win over Patrick Roy’s Islanders.

After an injury-shortened season in 2022-23, the Canadiens re-upped with Monahan on a one-year pact. Monahan has been a bright spot for the Habs, elevating each line that he plays for. He is the Habs most consistent center in the faceoff circle and he came through for the team when it was needed.

He would be the first to admit that Cole Caufield’s forced turnover along the boards created the opportunity. But Monahan’s innate ability to pop up in the right place at the right time was a huge factor. Anderson corralled a nice feed from Caufield and then found Monahan in the slot for a beautiful one-timer.

With the trade deadline fast approaching and the Habs having already plucked a center from Laval, the depth is far from strong. The situation with Monahan is far from a sign-and-seal kind of scenario. 

On one hand, the team will be more likely to secure a top pick without No. 91 in the fold. But in the interest of slowly integrating youth into the lineup; the Habs would be wise to pick and choose which veteran(s) they choose to trade. The culture has begun to take shape and without Monahan, the team isn’t going to be stronger. 

To be fully transparent, if Kent Hughes wants to get the most value out of Monahan, the time is now. It’s not an easy decision to trade a player, but Monahan’s health has been a strength, which hasn’t been a given in recent years. Trading him now could ensure a good return, while waiting could be a risky move. 

While Nick Suzuki is the captain and leader of this team, having Monahan support him has been crucial. It’s hard to imagine that any playoff team wouldn’t want No. 91 on their roster. He is a difference-maker and would be a huge reason for a team's success, as their likely third-line center. 

With plenty of eyes on the matchup between the Canadiens and Roy’s squad, Monahan picked a great time for a three-point outing. It’s not as though anybody needed proof of what Monahan can provide for a team. But, his strong play is coming at the right time, which could potentially increase his value and sweeten the return on the 29-year-old. 

It's about as clear as a dark night, but it seems that Hughes's biggest trade chip Monahan, would be a wise player to trade.