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Pre-Scout: Canadiens visit Oilers as confidence continues to grow
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Photo credit: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Michael Menzies
Oct 23, 2025, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 23, 2025, 06:35 EDT
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The Montreal Canadiens were pegged as prime breakout candidates in the Atlantic Division, after making the playoffs and looking feisty against the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Washington Capitals in the spring. 
Last year, it took them until Nov. 11 to win five games. They’ve done that already this go-round, up to six after a 2-1 OT win last night against the Calgary Flames. 
Let’s just say: the vibes are high. 
“We are a good team. I feel like we’re gonna win a lot of games. Just a normal day for us…We win, that’s what we do here,” said goaltender Jakub Dobes after beating the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night. 
Dobes’ ascension has given the Habs a 1-2 punch between the pipes. He fended off the Flames’ 37 shots with relative ease and is a quote machine. 
The Habs began their four game western swing on Wednesday night. After Edmonton, they head to Vancouver and Seattle. 
It was a deceptive game. Montreal was all over Calgary early (especially as the lights didn’t work in the Saddledome) and Dustin Wolf kept the Flames afloat. The Flames had the better looks in the third period, but couldn’t score if Bonnie Blue knocked on their dressing room door. 
With the Atlantic Division in transition, Canadiens fans believe they are about to turn the corner for good, taking advantage of a schedule where six of their first eight games were against non-playoff teams. 
As of writing, they are first in the Eastern Conference. Hello. 
The acquisition and subsequent strong play of Noah Dobson is the type of move general manager Kent Hughes makes because he believes the Habs are ready to break out. 
In the last few years, they’ve finished 32nd, 28th, 28th, and most recently 17th overall. They’re proving him right in the very early going. 

Who are these kids?

You’re familiar with Nick Suzuki (1-10—11) and Cole Caufield (5-3—8), the prime movers of the Canadiens attack, but keep an eye on Oliver Kapanen. 
The 22-year-old rookie is a former second round pick in 2021. Moving from the SHL full-time, he played 18 games last year and provided just two points. So far, he is tied second on the team in goals with four, although his fancy stats aren’t as in love.
Another new name is Zachary Bolduc, who has endeared himself to Habs faithful with four goals as well. 
Overall, it’s hard to keep track of all these young players Montreal has accumulated. Ivan Demidov has been gaining steam, showing what he can do with time and space on the OT winner setup to Mike Matheson, drawing an NHL vet in Mikael Backlund in becoming puck-focused and losing his man. 
“You can see Kappy’s potential. I’m not surprised with both players. Demi has a little bit more flashiness to his game, Kappy plays a very mature game and finds himself in really good spots. I think they balance each other very well on the ice,” head coach Martin St. Louis said this week about the linemates.
Everywhere you turn there’s these kids. Lane Hutson, Juraj Slavkovsky, Kaiden Guhle. Alex Newhook. Remember Kirby Dach? It’s hard to because he’s perpetually injured, but the former third overall pick is there. Joe Veleno is a Hab now, he went fifth overall some time ago. And don’t forget about Owen Beck, second round choice in 2022. 
Patrik Laine is day-to-day (what else is new), but the loss of Kaiden Guhle does sting, as he’s on the shelf for four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. 

Notes

  • Sam Montembeault will get the start, but a guy whose name was pondered for the Team Canada net hasn’t been very impressive. Both Montreal losses have been with him between the pipes, as he sits with .857 save percentage at the moment. His Goals Saved Above Expected thus far has been one of the worst amongst NHL netminders at -3.6. Remember though, he shut out the Oilers in one of their head-to-heads last year. Early struggles, or something more there? 
  • Can the Oilers take advantage of the Habs bottom pair of Jayden Strubble and Arbur Xhekaj? It’ll be a steady dose of Noah Dobson and Lane Hutson’s pairings, expect 20 minutes plus each. How will Kris Knoblauch use last change, particularly with the Habs on a back to back? 
  • In general, the Habs have given up more High Danger Chances than garnered of their own. They are still mistake prone. The Oilers will want to attack the middle of the ice, particularly through the neutral zone. Could be a very fast, transition type of hockey game with the puck-moving defencemen for both teams. A good test for Stuart Skinner. 
  • This is a show-me game for the Canadiens. The teams they’ve beat aren’t exactly world-beaters. The Oilers also aren’t feeling the best about themselves. 
  • Living up to their name. The Canadiens have the most Canadians on their roster in the NHL at 65 per cent. The Oilers are fourth. 
  • The Oilers are 5-3 in their last eight against the Canadiens. If the Habs win it, it’ll be their 50th regular season victory vs Edmonton. 

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