Jakub Dobeš’ unconventional path to becoming the Canadiens’ playoff backbone (Gift Article) The rookie goaltender has played a starring role in the Canadiens' reaching the playoffs and is a source of levity behind the scenes.

On Jakub Dobeš, aggressive puck stopper, aggressive puck handler, aggressive goof ball.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Juraj Slafkovský elevates his best assets at the perfect time for the Canadiens Slafkovský's first playoff hat trick comes nowhere close to fully explaining how far he has come with the Canadiens.

A brief evolutionary history of Juraj Slafkovský: www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

No changes at Canadiens skate this morning.

Veteran Lightning might be at risk of underestimating the Canadiens after Game 1 (Gift Article) Sure, the Lightning need to clean up their penalty discipline. But it's not impossible the Habs are simply better than expected.

And here’s Pierre LeBrun on the Lightning, another round one, Game 1 loss and the pressure in this series shifting quickly to the veteran group that didn’t quite act like it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Juraj Slafkovský elevates his best assets at the perfect time for the Canadiens Slafkovský's first playoff hat trick comes nowhere close to fully explaining how far he has come with the Canadiens.

A brief evolutionary history of Juraj Slafkovský: www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Josh Anderson puts the Canadiens up 1-0

Canadiens warmup lines in Tampa:

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovský
Texier-Newhook-Demidov
Bolduc-Kapanen-Dach
Evans-Danault-Anderson

Matheson-Carrier
Guhle-Hutson
Struble-Xhekaj

Dobeš
Fowler

Jakub Dobeš leads the Canadiens on the ice for warmups, no one unexpected is on the ice.

Four things the Canadiens can use to pull off the upset and beat the Lightning

Four things the Canadiens need to happen to get past the Lightning.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

The Mike Matheson Advanced Skating School for Gifted Defencemen is in session.

Canadiens forward lines unchanged at practice Saturday one day out from Game 1:

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovský
Texier-Newhook-Demidov
Bolduc-Kapanen-Dach
Evans-Danault-Anderson

Canadiens defence at practice today:

Matheson-Carrier
Guhle-Hutson
Struble-Xhekaj

This makes a lot of sense. But we'll see what Sunday brings.

“As a skilled player, in this league, you can see guys kind of quit on plays. But he doesn’t quit.” — Lane Hutson on Cole Caufield.

Inside Cole Caufield’s evolution from pure goal scorer to all-around threat

What I thought would be a fun little story showing some old videos from his Wisconsin days to Cole Caufield turned a bit more serious when I asked how he’s changed since.

That’s because Caufield’s game has become more serious since then.

Free to read:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

Just a reminder we are in playoff mode and all of this could be total BS

Canadiens lines and pairings at practice Thursday:

Caufield-Veleno (Suzuki not skating)-Slafkovský
Texier-Newhook-Demidov
Bolduc-Kapanen-Dach
Evans-Danault-Anderson

Engström/Reinbacher (Guhle not skating)-Matheson
Hutson-Carrier
Struble-Xhekaj

Alexandre Carrier looking very healthy at Canadiens practice this morning. Nick Suzuki and Kaiden Guhle taking maintenance days, Jacob Fowler is sick, Noah Dobson is still injured.

Canadiens still need Brendan Gallagher in the playoffs, whether he plays or not

The Canadiens are embarking on a playoff challenge that feels like the start of something special. For Brendan Gallagher, however, last night felt like the end of something special.

But he can, and should, enjoy this shade.

Free to read.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Chaos, dysfunction and AI: Inside the stunning fall of the Maple Leafs

How did it all go so wrong?

Chaos. Dysfunction. AI.

Inside the stunning fall of the Maple Leafs: www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Canadiens still need Brendan Gallagher in the playoffs, whether he plays or not

The Canadiens are embarking on a playoff challenge that feels like the start of something special. For Brendan Gallagher, however, last night felt like the end of something special.

But he can, and should, enjoy this shade.

Free to read.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Flyers make it 4-2 at 4v4, Canadiens just sloppy with the puck in their own end and Alex Bump scores.

Not quite a flash screen actually, but he went to the net and created some confusion

Jake Evans gets one as Gallagher provides a flash screen and Arber Xhekaj's point shot pops free, 3-2 Flyers

He's at 8 so far

Brendan Gallagher gets one

Arber Xhekaj's easily been the Canadiens best player in the first period, which, you know, good for Xhekaj! Not great for the Canadiens...

So Cole Caufield is going to finish this game with 20 shots on goal

Canadiens lines in warmup in Philly:

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovský
Texier-Newhook-Demidov
Bolduc-Kapane-Dach
Veleno-Evans-Gallagher

Guhle-Engström
Hutson-Reinbacher
Struble-Xhekaj

Dobeš
Fowler

For David Reinbcaher's second career NHL career game to come against Matvei Michkov is either cruel or delicious, I'm not sure which one.

Mike Matheson, Josh Anderson and Phillip Danault are not out there for Canadiens warmup