Martin St-Louis sets the tone with an early decision ahead of the Red Wings game
This morning, the Canadiens laced up their skates early at the Bell Centre ahead of Detroit.
After a lighter routine over the past few games, Martin St-Louis chose to bring back a morning skate on game day. It's often the first clue people watch for, because it can speed up answers regarding the lineup and the starting goaltender.
The players therefore get an extra window to reset, and fans also have a reason to keep an eye on the news.
On Wednesday, Montreal made a strong statement with a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames. Alexandre Texier led the attack with one goal and two assists, while Jacob Fowler shut the door with 28 saves on 29 shots. It made for a loud Bell Centre, and more importantly, a team that continued to build confidence without turning it into a spectacle.
Alexandre Texier just set the Bell Centre on fire
On Thursday, the Habs followed up with another win, this time a 6-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. Texier completed a hat trick, and Oliver Kapanen added a goal and two assists on a night when hats were flying.
Today's test remains a serious one, because Detroit arrives with the intention of stopping the momentum. And there's already a clear reminder in the season series: on October 9, 2025, the Canadiens won 5-1 in Detroit, with 30 saves from Jakub Dobes. Let's just say the Red Wings haven't forgotten that night.
"Habs will have a 10:30am ET morning skate at the Bell Centre ahead of tonight's game vs the Red Wings" - Priyanta Emrith
The biggest suspense now is whether the morning skate will confirm intentions, or simply keep everyone sharp.
St-Louis made his first decision of the day. For a team coming off two big home wins, this is exactly the kind of morning that can set the stage for another big night.
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Canadiens face a goalie dilemma ahead of key game vs. Red Wings