Three Reasons the Canadiens Are Suddenly Winning

The Montreal Canadiens have turned a corner, winning four straight games after a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night. The Canadiens have found their stride at just the right time. Even if by only a thread, their playoff hopes are still alive.

Here are three key reasons why Montreal is suddenly on a roll:

Reason 1. Clutch Scoring at Crucial Moments

When the Sabres took a 2-1 lead over the Canadiens, Montreal responded with fast and hard. After Cole Caufield’s early power-play goal, the Canadiens didn’t waste time mounting a comeback and eliminating the deficit. Josh Anderson tied the game, and Alex Newhook’s timely tip-in with just 2.6 seconds left in the second period put Montreal ahead. These timely, game-changing goals have been essential to the Canadiens’ recent success.

The key question: Is the young Canadiens’ roster maturing at the right time?

Reason 2. Solid Defensive Play and Goaltending

Montreal’s defense has been much more reliable lately, with Jakub Dobes stepping up between the pipes to play the last line of defense. While he faced 25 shots from Buffalo, the Canadiens goalie made 23 saves. He helped keep his team in the game. The Canadiens also blocked a large number of shots. This stopped the puck from getting on the net and frustrated the Sabres’ offensive efforts and limited their high-quality chances.

The key question: Can the Canadiens goalie play step up to hold the opposition down?

Reason 3. Emerging Young Talent Making a Difference

The Canadiens’ young core is beginning to show its potential. With two assists, Lane Hutson now sits second all-time in Canadiens history for rookie defenseman points. Alex Newhook also became another key contributor. He scored the game-winning goal in the second period, underscoring the rising importance of the team’s youth in their current success.

The key question: Is Lane Hutson the real deal? Is there any chance his play will fall on hard times?