The Montreal Canadiens have emphatically announced they are a force to be reckoned with this NHL season. With a commanding 6-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth at a roaring Bell Centre on Saturday, November 8, 2025, the team solidified its hold on first place in the Atlantic Division, boasting an impressive 9-3-2 record through their first 14 games.
A Dramatic Reversal of Fortune
The current success story stands in stark contrast to the team's position just one year ago. After 15 games in the 2024-25 season, the Canadiens were mired in a deep slump with a 4-9-2 record, were riding a six-game losing streak, and found themselves tied for last place in the entire league. The narrative of a patient rebuild has been shattered by a remarkable 17-4-4 record over their last 25 regular-season games, a surge that began with a 7-1-2 push to clinch a playoff berth last spring—their first in four years.
Key Contributors to the Surge
The victory against the Mammoth was a full-team effort. Cole Caufield led the offensive charge with two goals, bringing his season total to 12 and tying him with Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead. Oliver Kapanen, Alex Newhook, captain Nick Suzuki, and Kirby Dach also found the back of the net. Dach's breakaway goal in the final minute was a particularly emotional moment, marking his fifth goal in just 12 games after recovering from his second knee surgery in two years.
In goal, Samuel Montembeault was a reliable last line of defense, turning aside 25 shots for the win. The contributions, however, extend far beyond the scoresheet. Rookie Oliver Kapanen is leading all NHL freshmen with six goals, while Ivan Demidov tops the rookie points race with 13.
Leadership and a Shift in Mindset
When asked to explain the dramatic year-over-year improvement, head coach Martin St. Louis pointed to the value of past struggles. "You always learn from yesterday," St. Louis stated. "We were struggling… it’s not fun to struggle. But sometimes that’s what you need to get to a certain place. We found some answers and we just went to work." He emphasized that the team remains process-driven, viewing winning as a "side effect" of their daily commitment.
For the players, the change is palpable. Kirby Dach expressed the sentiment in the locker room, downplaying the 'rebuild' label. "I think we were learning how to win," Dach explained. "We took a lot of hard losses on the chin and had to grow from that... we’re at that point where we’re starting to flip it and it’s a pretty good feeling."
Cole Caufield credited systemic familiarity and improved team depth for the turnaround. "Everybody’s on the same page with the coaching staff," Caufield said. "Our collective game as a team has definitely taken a big step... We’re spending a lot less time in the D-zone. Definitely a full 180 from last year."
With the youngest roster in the NHL now leading its division and sitting just one point behind the Colorado Avalanche for the overall league lead, the Montreal Canadiens are not just winning games—they are rewriting expectations for their future.
