The Montreal Canadiens wrapped up the regular season with an impressive 48-24-10 record, good for 106 points and third place in their division.
Powered by one of the league’s most exciting young cores, Montreal heads into the playoffs with momentum and plenty of attention. Even hockey legend Wayne Gretzky has taken notice, offering high praise for head coach Martin St. Louis and the job he’s done this season.
Canadiens’ Season Under Martin St. Louis
St. Louis’s biggest achievement this year has been transforming promise into production. Under his leadership, Montreal’s core reached milestones not seen in decades, turning the team from a rebuilding project into a legitimate contender.
Cole Caufield led the charge, becoming the first Canadiens player to score 50 goals in a season since Stéphane Richer in 1990. Caufield, who finished with 51 goals, credited St. Louis for encouraging him to create offense rather than simply waiting for opportunities.
Captain Nick Suzuki also enjoyed a historic campaign, reaching 101 points, the highest total by a Montreal player since 1986.
While the veterans provided stability, the young stars flourished in St. Louis’s high-trust environment. Juraj Slafkovský evolved into a true power forward, breaking out with 30 goals and 73 points. Rookie sensation Ivan Demidov lived up to expectations, leading all first-year players with 62 points. Lane Hutson reshaped Montreal’s transition game with his puck-moving ability.
The result has been a cultural shift in Montreal. St. Louis has moved the Canadiens from a rebuilding mindset to one built around expectations. Star players are producing, young talent is developing quickly, and the team now enters the postseason as both dangerous and entertaining.
Gretzky summed it up with admiration: “Martin St. Louis, I mean, how exciting is that hockey club to watch play each game, game in, game out? They’re fun. He’s done a remarkable job.”
When asked which Eastern Conference matchup he would most want to watch in the playoffs, Gretzky didn’t hesitate. He pointed to a potential showdown between Montreal and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“If I could watch one series, my first matchup would be Montreal-Tampa Bay. I think that’s gonna be physical, fast, good goaltending. I still think there could be a lot of goals in that series. That would be the one series I think is gonna be fun to watch,” Gretzky said.
The Canadiens face the Lightning in Round 1, a “New Guard vs. Old Guard” rematch of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. Both teams had 106 points, but Tampa Bay earned home ice. The season series was tied 2–2, with Montreal winning the last two games.
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Now, the playoffs will decide whether St. Louis’s young Canadiens can take the next step or if the Lightning’s experience prevails.
