written by Jonah sacks

November 15, 2025

The Montreal Canadiens are facing their toughest stretch of the season so far, dropping four of their last five games. As if the on-ice struggles weren’t enough, the injury bug has taken a massive bite out of the lineup. Alex Newhook, who was in the midst of a true breakout season, will be sidelined for four months with an ankle injury. And on the back end, Kaiden Guhle who’s already missed significant time, will now be out an additional 8–10 weeks following surgery.

For the first time this season, things aren’t going smoothly. The question now becomes: How do the Habs bounce back?

New Look Lines Up Front

With Newhook out, Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen suddenly need a new linemate and it appears Kirby Dach has been handed that responsibility. Dach’s season has been a mix of highs and lows, but he’s consistently shown effort, strong puck protection, and the ability to finish around the net. Those traits could pair extremely well with Demidov’s elite playmaking.

Another fresh face in the lineup is Jared Davidson, who’s getting his first taste of NHL action on the fourth line. He’s been red-hot in Laval, scoring nine goals in their first 13 games. If he can bring even a fraction of that offensive spark, he could help revive a bottom six that’s struggled to produce lately.

Blue Line Status Quo

On defence, nothing changes for now. With Guhle out, the Canadiens are expected to continue rolling with the same six blueliners they’ve been using throughout his absence. Mike Matheson, Lane Hutson, and Noah Dobson will continue to shoulder heavy minutes as St. Louis leans on them to stabilize the back end.

Still on Top, But for How Long?

Despite this recent cold streak, Montreal remains at the top of the Atlantic Division. But the margins are razor thin. With injuries piling up and the team struggling to put together consistent 60-minute efforts, that lead can disappear quickly.

Still, Habs fans shouldn’t panic. We’ve seen captain Nick Suzuki drag this team out of slumps before and carry them back into the win column. But this time, it can’t be just him. If the Canadiens want to remain the serious contender they looked like just two weeks ago, it’s going to take a full, collective effort from every player in the lineup.

Adversity was always going to hit at some point, the true test is how the Canadiens respond. With key players sidelined and the schedule tightening, this stretch will reveal whether Montreal is simply a fun early-season story or a team ready to take the next step. The pieces are there, the talent is emerging, and the opportunity is right in front of them. Now it’s on the Habs to prove they can weather the storm and keep climbing.