Montreal Canadiens’ Power Play Could Crack the NHL’s Top 10 in 2025-26

Tony Marinaro Believes in a Breakthrough Special Teams Unit

On a recent episode of The Sick Podcast, Tony Marinaro made a bold yet very believable claim: “No reason why the Canadiens shouldn’t have a top 10 power play in the league.” With fresh young talent and a few strategic changes, the Montreal Canadiens are shaping up to surprise a lot of people when it comes to special teams this season.

Marinaro’s Ideal Power Play Unit

Marinaro painted a clear picture of what Montreal’s top unit could look like:

Nick Suzuki on the left wall, Ivan Demidov on the right, Lane Hutson at the point, Juraj Slafkovský down low, and Cole Caufield in the bumper. It’s a group loaded with skill, vision, and hockey IQ.

One of the biggest tweaks? Moving Caufield away from his usual office on the left circle and putting him in the bumper spot. Marinaro thinks that could be the key to unlocking even more of Cole’s offensive potential.

Why the Bumper Role Fits Caufield

“Cole is an elite shooter,” Marinaro said. “He doesn’t have the same one-timer Laine has, but it’s a different kind of weapon.”

Instead of relying on one-timers from the outside, Caufield can use his hands, awareness, and quick release to pounce on rebounds and create high-danger chances right in the middle of the ice. With Suzuki and Demidov commanding attention on the flanks and Hutson feeding plays from the top, Caufield could become even more dangerous than he’s been in previous seasons.

Fluid and Unpredictable

Another thing that stands out is how interchangeable this group is. Suzuki, Demidov, and Hutson can rotate positions during the play, which keeps defenders guessing and creates more passing lanes. That kind of unpredictability is exactly what successful power plays thrive on in today’s NHL.

Add Slafkovský’s physical presence in front of the net, and you’ve got a unit that can hurt teams in multiple ways.

Depth is Finally Here

Marinaro also pointed out something that Canadiens fans haven’t heard in a while: if the top unit isn’t clicking, the second unit can step up. That kind of depth has been missing from Montreal’s lineup for years, and it gives the coaching staff more flexibility and more options.

Climbing the Rankings

Last season, the Canadiens finished 21st in power-play percentage, hovering just above 20 percent. To break into the top 10, they’ll likely need to push that number closer to 25. It’s a tough climb, but with the talent they have and the structure Marinaro describes, it’s not out of reach.

Final Thoughts

Marinaro’s prediction doesn’t feel like a long shot. With a lineup like this, and a fresh take on where players like Caufield can be most effective, the Canadiens’ power play could be one of the NHL’s most exciting stories in 2025-26.

It’s been a while since Montreal fans had a special teams unit to be excited about. If this one lives up to its potential, that wait might finally be over.