The Enduring Legacy of Canadiens-Avalanche Clashes
While modern NHL broadcasters frequently hype contemporary "rivalry" games, few matchups can truly compare to the historic intensity and drama of the Montreal Canadiens versus the Quebec Nordiques. That storied competition, though relatively brief in duration, left an indelible mark on hockey history. Today, when the Canadiens face the Colorado Avalanche—the franchise that once was the Nordiques—a unique and special energy still permeates the ice, as evidenced by Montreal's commanding 7-3 victory at the Bell Centre on Thursday night.
A Controversial Hit and League Officiating Under Scrutiny
The game was not without its contentious moments. Colorado's Josh Manson delivered a forceful elbow to the head of Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle, a hit severe enough to raise immediate concerns for Guhle's wellbeing. In a decision that left many observers baffled, the officials reviewed the play and astonishingly opted not to assess a penalty. This incident underscores a persistent and troubling pattern within the NHL, where minor infractions are often penalized while dangerous, career-threatening hits are overlooked or ignored.
This is the reality of the league under the stewardship of figures like George Parros and Gary Bettman—a reality that many fans and analysts find embarrassing. Some nostalgically suggest that in a bygone era, such a hit might have sparked an on-ice retaliation reminiscent of the Good Friday Massacre. Instead, it was former Canadien Artturi Lehkonen who felt the repercussions later when a returning Guhle leveled a clean but punishing hit against him.
Nostalgia for the Nordiques and the Rivalry That Was
The sight of the Avalanche, especially when donning Nordiques throwback uniforms, inevitably stirs deep nostalgia. The Nordiques' final game in Quebec City on April 26, 1995, marked the end of an era. By that December, the team had relocated to Colorado, and through a series of front-office maneuvers, they were soon en route to their first Stanley Cup. The rivalry with the Canadiens, though shorter-lived than the epic Boston-Montreal feud, was uniquely visceral. It brought a level of raw, unadulterated hatred to the rink during the 1980s and early 1990s that remains unmatched in its intensity.
Today's NHL, with its expanded schedule and newer franchises, often lacks these deeply rooted geographic and historical grudges. The league misses out on the natural intensity of matchups like Ottawa versus Toronto, instead opting for games against teams with less storied pasts. The chances of the Nordiques returning to Quebec City? While perhaps slightly better than the odds of Major League Baseball resurrecting the Montreal Expos, they remain regrettably slim, leaving fans to cherish the memories and the occasional echoes of that past conflict in games like Thursday's.
Colorado's Struggles and Montreal's Resurgent Goaltending
The Avalanche, once touted as a potential modern dynasty, are currently showing significant cracks in their armor. Consecutive losses to Ottawa and Montreal, being outscored 12-5, demonstrate that Stanley Cups are not won in the early months of the season. A particularly glaring issue is Colorado's historically ineffective power play, which at the Bell Centre operated with baffling incompetence—failing to enter the zone, conceding a short-handed goal, and looking utterly disorganized.
For the Canadiens, a season-long question in net may be finding an answer. The decision to start Jakub Dobes over Samuel Montembeault has paid immediate dividends. Dobes was exceptional against both the Vegas Golden Knights and the Avalanche this week. His aggressive, challenging style was pivotal in Thursday's win, with a spectacular second-period breakaway save on Sam Girard standing out as a potential game-changing moment. His performance stabilized the game after a frenetic four-goal opening eight minutes and allowed his teammates to build and secure a decisive lead.
Playoff Hopes and the Road Ahead
The Canadiens are demonstrating they can compete with the league's best. Since December 23rd, they have secured victories against a who's who of Stanley Cup contenders: Boston, Florida, Carolina, Dallas, Minnesota, Vegas, and now Colorado. While they have had difficulties with division rivals Tampa Bay, Detroit, and Buffalo, they have proven capable of beating any team on any given night, especially with reliable goaltending.
The upcoming schedule presents a critical test. A road game against a surging Buffalo Sabres team, followed by contests in Minnesota and Winnipeg before the Olympic break, will challenge Montreal's mettle. With eight games remaining before the break, playing .500 hockey through this stretch would solidify their playoff positioning. Currently sitting at 3-2 in that segment, they need just one more win to achieve that goal. If Jakub Dobes maintains his current form, the Canadiens are not just playoff hopefuls—they are a lock for the postseason, rekindling hope and excitement in Montreal.
