Habs Wrap: Caufield Trophy Finalist, Depth Scoring, Laval

Montreal Canadiens News And Notes

• Elliotte Friedman chimed in on the officiating in the first-round series between the Habs and the Lightning. Or more accurately, he quickly discussed one penalty, which seemed to be phantom call at first, but was actually a legitimate penalty on Oliver Kapanen. I’d argue the issue, in this particular case, is that the referee’s hand did not go up until Dominic James oversold the contact a few moments later. Either way, the Canadiens can’t focus on officiating in this series, because it’s a factor they simply cannot control.

Here's the Kapanen penalty.

When I saw it…I thought obvious high-stick above hashmarks — and those penalties are being called in all series. Obviously, Canadiens (and their fans) feel arm went up late or actual penalty was ignored/missed. pic.twitter.com/fTgS9coIzm

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 27, 2026

• Defenceman Noah Dobson isn’t quite ready to return to the lineup, but he was spotted skating on Monday. The 26-year-old blueliner has been missed by the Canadiens, as evidenced by the disjointed results in the top four. While Dobson is not expected to return for Game Five on Wednesday, there is a chance he will participate in at least one game versus the Lightning. [**Potential Canadiens Impact Of Dobson Return To Play**]
• Even though the on-ice results at 5v5 have been less than ideal, Lane Hutson has done a great job when tasked with defending star players 1v1.

Lane Hutson defending Nikita Kucherov 1v1: pic.twitter.com/UAXZVeFxvs

— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) April 27, 2026

• Lost in the shuffle on the weekend, the Canadiens re-assigned defenceman David Reinbacher to the Laval Rocket (AHL). The Rocket’s playoff push gets underway on Wednesday, with a series versus the Toronto Marlies on the menu.

Les Canadiens ont cédé le défenseur David Reinbacher au Rocket de Laval.⁰⁰The Canadiens have loaned defenseman David Reinbacher to the Laval Rocket.

— x – Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 27, 2026

• Alexandre Texier, Alex Newhook, and head coach Martin St-Louis were among the members of the organization that met with the media on Monday.

Suivez les disponibilités médias des Canadiens

Tune in now to live Canadiens media ops #GoHabsGo

— x – Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 27, 2026

• The Habs are now one game away from advancing to the second round of the NHL Playoffs. Veteran Brendan Gallagher was reinserted into the lineup, and quickly made an impact by scoring the opening goal of the game. Kirby Dach, as well as Alexandre Texier, provided the other goals in the crucial 3-2 win. [**Canadiens Highlights: Gallagher Leads Way In Huge Win**]
• Rookie netminder Jakub Dobes was great, stopping 38 of the 40 shots sent his way, including almost 10 high-danger saves.

Rookie netminder Jakub Dobes made 38 saves to secure the win for the #GoHabsGo, including 10 high-danger saves! pic.twitter.com/2rvoPaCHjR

— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) April 30, 2026

• Lost in the excitement, defenceman Lane Hutson had yet another excellent game. It should also be noted that he’s maintained his ridiculous production rate in the playoffs. In 10 career games, the phenom has registered his name on the scoresheet 10 times.

NHL Game Score Impact Card for Montréal Canadiens on 2026-04-29: pic.twitter.com/9Iaw9UTCwU

— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) April 30, 2026

• While the Canadiens were gaining a series advantage versus the Lightning, the Laval Rocket were busy doing the same in the AHL. Laval beat the Toronto Marlies 3-1 on Wednesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Florian Xhekaj, Joshua Roy, and Samuel Blais scored for the Rocket, while Kaapo Kähkönen made 20 saves to secure the win.

FLORIAN 🚨 1-0 pic.twitter.com/SxI6DRC2NO

— xy – Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) April 29, 2026

• The entertainment factor is through the roof when it comes to this Lightning fan’s crash out.

This Tampa Bay Lightning fan is in shambles right now pic.twitter.com/diDdhqL1wB

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 30, 2026

• It’s no longer the case, but there was a time when some doubted whether Lane Hutson‘s impressive production would translate to the NCAA. And then they questioned whether he could do it at the World Championship. And the World Juniors. In the NHL. And eventually, the playoffs. At this (very early) point of his career, there’s very little left to prove.

Lane Hutson (10 GP) collected his 10th career playoff point and required the fewest games by a defenseman to reach the mark in @CanadiensMTL history, besting Chris Chelios (13 GP). #StanleyCup

Tune in 🇺🇸 (@ESPN 2), 🇨🇦 (@Sportsnet, @TVASports), 🌍: pic.twitter.com/uIVGxEiKkL

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 30, 2026

• Sniper Cole Caufield is among the finalists for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player in the league deemed to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship throughout the season. In 81 games played, Caufield only accumulated 14 penalty minutes. [**Caufield Among Finalists For Lady Byng Memorial Trophy**]
• The French call of Alexandre Texier’s game-winning goal is absolutely fantastic.

ALEXANDRE TEXIIIIIIER#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/8mu7JfXdNn

— The Icebreaker (@TheIcebreakerFR) April 30, 2026

• Veteran Brendan Gallagher had his mother on his mind as he was reinserted into the lineup on Wednesday. Given how much he’s sacrificed for the franchise, it was a fitting start to his playoff run from the always under-appreciated forward.

Brendan Gallagher on his playoff goal in the Habs win tonight:

“For me, I think of my mom. I think of people in my life that meant a lot to me. There’s a little moment where you enjoy it and you think of those things, then you get right back to playing the game.” pic.twitter.com/KJ1iuPh1Zt

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 30, 2026

• It was yet another hard-fought game between the Canadiens and the Lightning, but in the end, the Bolts emerged with a 1-0 overtime win. There will be a Game 7. [**Canadiens Highlights: Lightning Force Deciding Game**]
• Unfortunately for the organization, the Laval Rocket also dropped their playoff game, losing 6-2 to the Toronto Marlies. Laval actually established a 2-0 lead midway through the first period, but four powerplay goals from the Marlies was simply too much to handle. [**AHL**]
• One of the main reasons the Canadiens have managed to keep pace with the Lightning is the play of the team’s third line. Or is it their fourth line? Either way, Alexandre Texier, Kirby Dach, and Zachary Bolduc are scoring at a first-line pace. [**Caufield Among Finalists For Lady Byng Memorial Trophy**]
• Caufield, one of the players who has struggled at 5v5, was quick to send praise their way.

Cole Caufield today on the Habs line of Bolduc – Dach – Texier:

“They’ve been unbelievable. To be able to see them own pucks down low and have pucks in the O-zone a lot, it definitely helps our entire team. I think everybody has stepped up in their own way and have brought more… pic.twitter.com/FaqV2hy9po

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) May 1, 2026

• Speaking of Bolduc, he’s one of the many young players in the province who was inspired by veteran Brendan Gallagher.

Alors qu’il n’était qu’un enfant, Zachary Bolduc (à gauche sur la photo) s’est rendu à une séance d’autographes à Trois-Rivières.

Qui signait les autographes ce jour-là? Brendan Gallagher.

Aujourd’hui, ils sont non seulement coéquipiers, mais Zachary Bolduc m’a confié ce… pic.twitter.com/7BXNMB7HTj

— Anthony Martineau (@Antho\_Martineau) May 1, 2026

• Gallagher is quite appreciative of the support he’s received since being returned to the lineup.

«Le support que j'ai reçu de mes coéquipiers, c'est quelque chose que j'apprécie beaucoup! » – Gallagher pic.twitter.com/iWbaHIfT6o

— TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 1, 2026

• With all due respect to Henrik Lundqvist, there’s clearly a lack of respect for Jakub Dobes in play. Sure, he’s a rookie, but you could argue he’s done as good as veteran Andrei Vasilevskiy.

.@HLundqvist reveals his Eastern Conference HANKINGS 👀 pic.twitter.com/X8pIEEZXN1

— NHLonTNT (@NHL\_On\_TNT) April 30, 2026

• *Le Gros Bill* truly epitomized what it meant to be a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

Apparently after being named the very first NHL Conn Smythe winner on this day in 1965:

Jean Béliveau wasn’t too fond of the trophy nor very keen on taking photos with it initially, since it was a silver replica of Maple Leaf Gardens. pic.twitter.com/3Laa5oKALw

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) May 1, 2026

• Noah Dobson skated on Friday, and from all accounts, it seems like he’s as close as possible to returning to the lineup. There were even some whispers that he was almost cleared to play in Game 6.

Noah Dobson on ice for #Habs morning skate after missing first five games of playoff series vs. Lightning with thumb injury. pic.twitter.com/2rmifJ6dOw

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) May 1, 2026

• Juraj Slafkovsky decided to take a shot at Max Crozier, who was left out of the lineup for Game 6.

Juraj Slafkovsky today on getting hit by the Lightning’s Max Crozier in game 4:

“He got a good hit. Good for the guy. He doesn’t play much so maybe it makes him play a little more. Gotta take it, it doesn’t matter if I get hit or anything, it’s (about) how I come back. I just… pic.twitter.com/0NRLsMnSO7

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) May 1, 2026 **Related Headlines**

• Canadiens Need More From Their Star Players To Stay Alive
• Habs Daily: Third Line Shines, Dobson Health, Gallagher
• Canadiens Highlights: Lightning Force Game Seven