Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories and content you may have missed on Saturday.
montreal canadiens news
We now know when (most) of the games in the first-round series between the Habs and Tampa Bay Lightning will take place. It should also be noted that Victor Hedman is not expected to return to the Bolts' lineup any time soon, and Lane Hutson practiced with Caden Guhle for the Canadiens. [Canadiens Playoff Preview: Updated Lines, Tampa Bay Injury]
Rookie Ivan Demidov took over the line rush with Alex Newhook and Alex Texier on the second line, and he's feeling confident about the upcoming assignment against the Lightning, which will certainly include providing some semblance of durable offense.
Ivan Demidov on playing with Alex Newhook and Alexandre Texier in Habs practice today:
"Very good line. Everyone is very skilled and fast and they are two very strong guys. I love playing with them." pic.twitter.com/dO3ClWmj9e
- /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 18 April 2026
Former hub PK Subban believes the Canadiens and Oilers will face off in the Stanley Cup Finals, with the Canadiens emerging victorious. There's nothing wrong with dreaming in Technicolor, but with all due respect to Subban, there's a lot of hard hockey left to play. It seems that every year a disproportionate number of analysts suggest that two Canadian teams will join the final clubs.
.@PKSubban1 The Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup for the 25th time 👀🏆
Stanley Cup Playoff action begins today at 3PM ET on ESPN and the ESPN App! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/9MyPNhs8Lm
- ESPN (@espn) 18 April 2026
Jacob Dobbs hasn't been one of the best goaltenders this season, but the mere fact that he's not too far off the top-5 is quite encouraging. Unfortunately for the Canadiens, Andrei Vasilevskiy is fourth in the NHL in assists.
Top goalscorers of the 2025-2026 regular season https://t.co/RtBkDPbkvW pic.twitter.com/xy4xMcNxRD
- MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) 17 April 2026
Not surprisingly, as they were the youngest team during the regular season, the Habs will also feature the youngest lineup in the playoffs. This is also a big difference.
The Habs will be the youngest team in the NHL playoffs again this year. pic.twitter.com/gU6uyCiSKX
- /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 18 April 2026
Head coach Martin St-Louis left no doubt when discussing his allegiance to the Canadiens and his time with the Lightning.
Habs coach Marty St. Louis on facing his old team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the playoffs:
"I have no feelings for Lightning right now. Zero." pic.twitter.com/yPIBokAo4S
- /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 17 April 2026
Many journalists expected Lightning to make quick work of Hubs, and statistically speaking, there is a lot of logic behind their opinion. The good news is that the games are played on ice, not on paper.
Sportsnet predictions for Habs vs. Lightning playoff series pic.twitter.com/xIvzEJkzas
- /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 18 April 2026
ICYMI: With Game One of the first-round series between the Habs and Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, we continue our in-depth series previews, including a comparison of their respective special teams. [Playoff Preview: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Special Teams]
ICYMI: We evaluated some X-factors coming into the series, including the importance of finding open space for Nick Suzuki and the rest of the first line. The Canadiens score a lot of goals, but if Tampa Bay's shutdown line finds its rhythm, things will quickly turn sour for Montreal. [Playoff Preview: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Top X Factors]
ICYMI: There is no doubt, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been the better team at 5v5 this season. However, when the numbers between Montreal and the Lightning are evaluated against each other in their four games, the discrepancy is less noticeable, with the Canadiens managing to control more shots than the Bolts. [Playoff Preview: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Head-To-Head]
Sportsknot Network
New Jersey Devils win general manager free agent frenzy. Sunny Mehta was named Devils GM on Thursday evening. Mehta, an analytical guru, will bring a fresh perspective to the position left by former GM Tom Fitzgerald. Said approach begins immediately. The Devils have a long list of things to address ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft and free agent frenzy. So, where does he start? [New Jersey Devils]
The San Jose Sharks have one of the best players in the NHL at the moment in 19-year-old Maclin Celebrini. Coming off a record-breaking season where he almost led the team to the playoffs, it appears the phenom will be rewarded with a new deal this summer. [San Jose Sharks]
How can the Sens upset the best team in the Eastern Conference? Let's get into the details with five keys to the Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes victory. [Carolina Hurricanes]

