The Montreal Canadiens’ 7-2 loss in NHL preseason action has raised big questions about this team’s overall readiness heading into the 2025-26 season. In this post-game show, Kosta tries to pinpoint exactly what this tough defeat reveals about the Canadiens’ depth, special teams, defense, and young prospects as they prepare for opening night.
While it’s only preseason, a blowout loss like this can shine a light on areas that need improvement. He’ll discuss which players struggled, who still stood out despite the scoreline, and what Martin St-Louis and the coaching staff might need to adjust before the regular season begins. Are the Habs truly ready to compete with top teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, or do they still have a long way to go?
We’ll also analyze lineup decisions, goalie play, and the ongoing roster battles between veterans and prospects. For Montreal Canadiens fans, NHL fans, and even Toronto Maple Leafs fans curious about their rivals, this breakdown gives you the full picture of where the Canadiens stand after this lopsided loss.
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0:00 Show Start
1:40 Game Highlights…And Lowlights
7:52 Coach’s Game Analysis
14:33 – What Breaks My Stick – Leaving Your Coach Out To Dry
In every episode, Kosta Papoulias takes a deep dive into the latest Montreal Canadiens news involving Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Owen Beck, Sean Farrell, Filip Mesar, Habs Defencemen, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Adam Engstrom, David Reinbacher, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes, Martin St Louis.
Dans chaque épisode, Kosta Papoulias analyse en profondeur les dernières nouvelles des Canadiens de Montréal concernant Ivan Demidov, Patrik Laine, Juraj Slafkovsky, Josh Anderson, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Owen Beck, Sean Farrell, Filip Mesar, les défenseurs des Canadiens, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Sam Montembeault, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Adam Engstrom, David Reinbacher, Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler, Kent Hughes et Martin St Louis.
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31 Comments
Lot's of lousy Habs play, so I want to start off by congratulating the Leafs/Marlies for playing a serious and well coordinated game. Pizzetta played better than most of the Habs.
Only 4 shots that were 5 on 5 for the entire game , i mean holy dogwater batman
Laine so slow
Not worth signing
Marty better get stricter
I didn't see the whole game (due to espn+ malfunction), but every time I looked up Roy was bobbling gifts of tape to tape passes. He is not dependable.
id trade laine at the deadline whether we are playoff bound or not. he doesnt have that dog in him. young team doesnt need a player like that. im sure a contender can use him.
that sound you heard was the shattering of the Montembeault myth.
First goal a "real Monty" deep in the net and cheating toward the short side!
Second another classic five hole Monty!
and it didnt get better!
Savard , Armia & Davorak kept the Habs in the games last year …No replacement ..Logan is likely better than the overpaid guy Dobsen they traded for …Logan is a lot cheaper and will have a better season by far ..David R is a long way from being an NHLer ….Logan is NHL ready !!!!
Monty is a career backup. I have said that for years. Technically he is terrible. Positioning, rebounds and being able to be a number one!
I,ll put this game down as a stinker and sleeper,preseason never know what your gonna get. Chill all. Ghg. ❤
Monty didn't really help with his goal keeping tonight. Kids didn't know how to react
I didn’t like the effort, But it is the pre season and I’m not gonna get to worked up about it. I wanna see this team in action as a complete unit. Lane Hutson, Guhle, Carrier, Arber Xhekaj, Gallagher, Anderson, Bolduc, I mean these are important guys to the puzzle, I’m sure this team fully assembled will be better.
This is an awesome channel, I don’t know why you don’t have more subscribers
They unloaded their best 200’ forward prospect…Heinemen, (skate hit shoot). After Anderson, Habs are a soft team without the xbros…who seem too marginal to the plan. This team has changed, less defensive IQ, —-they need systemic growth for chasing a wild card slot.
They need to work for their money…
this was just a SCRIMAGE– red team vs blues>>> no meaning…can i get a refund?
Do you think out what we seen so far this preseason that it would be not a bad idea to start at least the first 10 games or so with Dobs and Fal and let Monty sit in the AHL to realize his mistakes and come back and fight for his job ? ..my take he just got lazy thinking I'm the #1G
I don't believe the hype around Monty. 1st line was on vacation
I wasn’t impressed at all. Maybe if Arber would of been there he would of turned everyone into superheroes
In panthers game new Tarasov kid blocked 47 sog and lead 3:2 against top Carolina team. goalie can win the cup, over 2c this is our biggest weakness
It is good to challenge. And mention accountability. But on the other hand. Myth, relax. The young guys are not as good as people think. Just like last year in Hamilton. Overrated.
Rohrer had shown he’s always a go. I think he makes it.
Saturday night will give a more accurate impression of what we can expect this year. 14:03
Ah howitzer.😂😂😂😂
It was 86 mph
Montembeault … 🤣
Relax, chill out. It's preseason.
I could care less about this game
Matheson Dobson should not be a pair that exists
No Ghule, No Carrier, No Arber, No Struble = no Defense
No Hutson = no play driving
There was little to no transition game from the D to FWD’s
I blame the players as much as I blame the person that dressed this roster if Toronto sends their 4th liners and prospects the coach should have done the same
I don’t want to risk injury to any NHL regulars in PRESEASON
You think Laine was salivating when all he saw out there tonight was Cedric Pare’s on the ice other side…?
Disappointing effort sure but the roster was not set up well for tonight and that is simple.
Maybe St Louis sends all his goons to Toronto and plays 17-71-11 22 minutes at 5v5
Send Arber, Blais, Thorpe, Florian, Struble, Ghule,
When we are talking about engagement and urgency, to me..that points to the coach…someone correct me if I am wrong…he should be the one motivating players, no?
If you don’t notice your 5th overall defenseman on the ice then we got big problems. This kid will never play for the Montréal Canadiens consistently. Once he gets healthy and has a good stretch I’m trading him for a 2c. The amount of time he has missed in the last few years is not worth risking. If a team wants him in a package for a second line center, I’m doing it.
I think the defensive zone problems were a team effort not just 1 line. St Louis didn’t want to change goalkeepers right after his #1 gave up a soft one IMO. Hindsight is 20/20
Definitely a time to send a message,including the veterans