Kaiden Guhle Defines Role with Gritty Play in Canadiens' Victory Over Islanders
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle is carving out his identity on the blue line with a rugged, physical style that was on full display during Saturday's 7-3 win over the New York Islanders. The 24-year-old rearguard not only contributed offensively with a goal and two assists but also demonstrated his defensive commitment by jumping to the aid of captain Nick Suzuki in a late-game scrum.
Defending the Captain
With the game winding down in the third period and the Islanders trailing by three goals, New York forward Mathew Barzal grabbed Suzuki's sweater, potentially escalating tensions. Guhle, positioned nearby, immediately intervened to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
"Obviously (Suzuki) isn't much of a fighter," Guhle explained after Monday's practice. "I don't know if he's ever fought—and we don't need him to fight, especially at that time of the game. We don't want to lose him. It was (my) natural instinct. It doesn't matter if it's your captain or anyone. I just wanted to come in there and grab the guy. I wasn't looking to fight, either. I was the closest guy there. I heard the crowd and looked back. Anyone (on the team) would have done the same thing."
This protective instinct resulted in a 10-minute misconduct penalty that Guhle described as potentially the best of his career, highlighting the unity within the Canadiens' locker room. The incident stood in stark contrast to recent silence following a knee-on-knee hit by Anaheim's Radko Gudas against Toronto captain Auston Matthews, which resulted in a five-game suspension and season-ending surgery for Matthews.
Complete Performance
Beyond his defensive responsibilities, Guhle delivered what he considers his most complete game of the season. In 16:21 of ice time, he scored the winning goal, added two assists, registered three shots, delivered two hits, and blocked four shots, finishing with a plus-3 goal differential.
"Not even because of the points," Guhle reflected. "I think just the way I was playing defensively and I was trying to be a bit of a prick out there. That was a part of my game I felt slipped a bit. I think when I do that, I get in the groove of the game easier. Guys on the other team don't like it. They've got their head on a swivel a little bit more. They have to be a little bit more dialed in and a little bit more aware. It's just something in my game I want to keep doing every game."
Overcoming Injury Challenges
The Edmonton native has faced significant injury setbacks throughout his career, particularly this season. After playing only five games, Guhle suffered a partially torn adductor muscle that required surgery, causing him to miss 39 games before returning on January 10. This followed surgery in January 2025 to repair a lacerated quadriceps muscle, meaning he was essentially sidelined for a full year.
"Injuries are always tough," Guhle admitted. "I wasn't playing my best for a bit when I came back. I was basically hurt for a year if you look at it. Not that you lose who you are as a player, but ... when you miss that much time, it can take time (physically) to come back. You look at yourself in the mirror, see what you were and what you have to do to get back to that mode."
At 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds, Guhle's physical playing style makes him susceptible to injuries, but he remains committed to maintaining his aggressive approach. The 16th overall draft pick in 2020 has played just 29 games this season due to these recurring health issues.
Coach's Perspective
Head coach Martin St. Louis praised Guhle's performance against the Islanders, noting that the defenseman is beginning to play to his true identity.
"It was definitely his best game of late," St. Louis said. "What he did in that game is what he can do. You want to repeat that. It's hard to do, but I felt like he checked a lot of boxes last game. For his own confidence that was a big game."
Guhle's mindset shift became apparent following last Tuesday's game against Boston, where he consciously decided to embrace his physical nature more completely.
Looking Ahead
Guhle will seek to build on this performance when the Canadiens continue their three-game homestand against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. The Hurricanes (45-19-6) hold a 10-point lead over Pittsburgh atop the Metropolitan Division but were outscored 7-5 by Montreal on home ice on January 1. Jakub Dobes, who was in goal for that victory, is expected to start again on Tuesday. The teams will meet again on Sunday in Raleigh as part of Montreal's upcoming five-game road trip.
In other Canadiens news, forward Cole Caufield was named the NHL's third star of the week after scoring four goals—three against the Islanders—and adding four assists in three games. Meanwhile, Josh Anderson practiced on Monday while wearing a non-contact jersey as he recovers from an upper-body injury.
