The Montreal Canadiens continue to hold their ground in a tight Atlantic Division race. As the season moves along, the focus has shifted from short-term results to long-term stability.
One player’s situation has become central to that approach and reflects how the organization is thinking ahead.
Kirby Dach’s Return From Injury Is Being Handled With Care in Montreal
Montreal has played consistent hockey this season and owns a 23-13-6 record, placing the team third in the Atlantic Division. They have found ways to stay competitive most nights, even when the game does not go their way. The Canadiens have balanced road success with solid home performances, which have helped them stay close to the division’s top teams.
Offensively, the team has relied on timely scoring rather than overwhelming pressure. Cole Caufield continues to lead the attack, while Nick Suzuki drives play through the middle. Lane Hutson has added support from the blue line, helping Montreal generate offense from different areas of the ice. The Canadiens score over three goals per game, which keeps them in close contests despite defensive and penalty-killing issues that still need attention.
One of the bigger storylines around the team remains Kirby Dach’s absence. Dach, 24, was drafted third overall by Chicago in 2019 and later signed a four-year, $13.45 million contract with Montreal that runs through the 2025-26 season. He has five goals and two assists in 15 games this season, showing offense before landing on long-term injured reserve.
Sportsnet reporter Eric Engels shared insight from general manager Kent Hughes regarding Dach’s recovery. “Kent Hughes says the Canadiens are being very careful with Kirby Dach’s return because his fracture was on the same leg where he suffered the most recent knee injury. They want him at 100% before he comes back,” Engels wrote on X.
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Dach was initially expected to miss four to six weeks after suffering a foot fracture, announced on Nov. 16. He has still not been cleared to return and has not been seen practicing with the team. The lack of updates has drawn attention, especially given his projected role as a key center in the lineup. When a recovery drags on, questions tend to follow, but Montreal appears focused on avoiding setbacks rather than rushing a return.
The Canadiens now turn their attention to their next game against the Calgary Flames on Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Montreal enters the matchup with strong home results and will look to keep pressure on teams around them in the playoff race. Calgary comes in at 18-20-4Â and will aim to tighten up defensively against Montreal’s top lines as both teams search for important points.
