The Montreal Canadiens are on a renewed quest for an elusive wild card spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs during the 2024-2025 NHL season, a first since their last playoff appearance in the 2020-2021 season. Thanks to a break during the 4-Nations Face-Off, the Canadiens found fresh motivation as they sought to translate their efforts into playoff success. With a roster brimming with young talent, the Canadiens are working hard to reshape their future on the ice.
General Manager Kent Hughes has been vocal about the promising crop of young stars within the team. Speaking to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Hughes mentioned, “We will be very engaged in terms of exploring ways that we can make us a better hockey team. We can’t be short-sighted in how we go about it, that’s all. We’ve got to consider the present and the future in every decision that we make, given that we have a lot of really good young hockey players that we expect to be with us for a very long time.” Key players such as Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, and Kaiden Guhle are proving crucial to this rejuvenation.
As the season progresses, the statistics for these standout players reveal their importance:
- Nick Suzuki, 25 years old, has racked up 21 goals, 50 assists, and 71 total points.
- Cole Caufield, 24, leads with 33 goals, alongside 28 assists for 61 points.
- Juraj Slafkovsky, 20, contributes 14 goals and 27 assists for a total of 41 points.
- Lane Hutson, 21, showcases his skills with 5 goals and 48 assists, totaling 53 points.
- Kaiden Guhle, despite recovering from a serious injury, has so far recorded 4 goals and 10 assists.
However, the worries around Guhle are high. Suffering a lacerated quadriceps muscle back in January 2025 led to surgery, leaving his season in jeopardy. As of March 8, 2025, Hughes expressed uncertainty regarding Guhle's return, noting, “Even if he’s ready towards the end, I’m unsure if they’ll push him back into action if the Canadiens fall out of the playoff race by then.”
The Canadiens faced a challenging matchup against the Colorado Avalanche on March 22, 2025, where they lost an intense game 5-4 in a shootout. Despite the loss, it represented an important reflection of their fight back and resilience. Brock Nelson scored the shootout winner for Colorado, while the Canadiens saw significant contributions from their younger stars.
During the game, Joshua Roy and Juraj Slafkovsky made headlines by scoring only 30 seconds apart in the third period. Slafkovsky's second goal of the game was critical, demonstrating his rising skills, while Christian Dvorak tied the game at 13:32, sending the Bell Centre crowd into a frenzy.
As they continue their point streak—now stretched to six games—the Canadiens are holding on to their playoff ambition, currently placed second in the Eastern Conference wild card standings with 75 points, just ahead of the New York Rangers. It’s a tight race leading up to the postseason finale, making every upcoming game crucial.
However, Hughes and fans acknowledge that maintaining their playoff spot isn’t just about wins but also about managing player health and performance. As Slafkovsky shines with eight goals in his last 13 games—bringing his career total to 40—his future potential becomes increasingly apparent. Just one goal away from tying Stéphane Richer for one of the highest totals among players aged 20 and under in franchise history, the pressure adds both excitement and anticipation.
Following their showdown with Colorado, the Canadiens are set to open a four-game road trip against the St. Louis Blues on March 25, 2025. The road ahead is daunting but serves as an opportunity for the Canadiens to solidify their playoff hopes, with every game bringing them closer to a long-awaited postseason run.
In summary, while the Canadiens navigate challenges, particularly with Guhle’s uncertain return, their young talent showcases the promise of maintaining competitiveness in the playoffs. Winning the hearts of fans back, the Canadiens are on a determined path that may yet culminate in a glorious playoff journey this season.
