Arpon Basu

A little journey inside the problem-solving, perfectionist hockey mind of Lane Hutson: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...

Rejuvenated Phillip Danault again provides everything the Canadiens need to win: www.nytimes.com/athletic/772...

Juraj Slafkovský, first question tonight, asked what he will remember from the outdoor game experience: “That we had no power plays, I think that’s what I’ll remember the most. I wanted to play power play outdoors, didn’t have a chance.” Never cracked a smile. S-tier sense of humour.

Canadiens warmup lines at Heritage Classic in Winnipeg Caufield-Kapanen-Slafkovský Kreider-Newhook-Anderson Bolduc-Danault-Texier F. Xhekaj-Evans-Dach Guhle-Matheson Hutson-Dobson Xhekaj-Carrier Fowler Dobeš

It’s ok to be tired of the NHL’s outdoor games. There are so many of them, after all. But for the players involved, getting to play outside is romantic, nostalgic and special. A reminder of what drew you to this line of work to begin with. www.nytimes.com/athletic/772...

Without two of their top talents, the Canadiens will have to dig in on what they’ve prioritized for six weeks. It could be a blessing in disguise. www.nytimes.com/athletic/771...

Canadiens take a 3-1 lead on a long shot from the blue line by Kaiden Guhle. The Blackhawks have them right where they want them.

Canadiens lines in warmup in Chicago: Caufield-Kapanen-Slafkovský Kreider-Newhook-Anderson Bolduc-Danault-Texier Dach-Evans-Beck Matheson-Hutson Guhle-Carrier Xhekaj-Dobson Fowler Dobeš

No one wearing the 'C' for the Canadiens in Chicago: Matheson, Evans and Anderson each have an 'A'

Mike Matheson and Owen Beck are in tonight, Adam Engström is out, Jacob Fowler is in net, per MSL in Chicago.

When the 5-on-5 process/results pendulum swings hard the opposite way, sometimes that takes some getting used to. And these Canadiens have never been on this side of that pendulum swing: www.nytimes.com/athletic/771...

It’s crazy how 85 percent or so of Cole Caufield’s goals you can see coming from a mile away.

Canadiens forward lines unchanged at practice today, with Oliver Kapanen taking Juraj Slafkovský's spot on the top line. Slafkovský is undergoing treatment (presumably for the collision in Washington). That doesn't necessarily bode well for Kapanen's chances to make his season debut tomorrow.

Échauffement du Canadien à Washingtonnnnne Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky Kreider-Newhook-Anderson Bolduc-Danault-Texier Dach-Evans-Beck Guhle-Carrier Hutson-Dobson Xhekaj-Engström Dobes Fowler

Canadiens weekly notebook: Why Martin St. Louis likes what he sees five games in, Kaiden Guhle’s rehab process and Adam Engström’s impression on teammates: www.nytimes.com/athletic/768...

Canadiens are dressing 11 forwards and 7 defencemen tonight with Kaiden Guhle’s return. Florian Xhekaj has been undergoing treatment and will sit out tonight. Adam Engström remains in, and when asked if we might see some shifts at forward for Arber Xhekaj, MSL said “I don’t know.”

Looks like Jacob Fowler gets the start again tonight for the Canadiens.

Sam Montembeault will be out 10-14 days, MSL announces.

I'll be chiming in on the game over at @theathletic.com's discussion page, come join in! www.nytimes.com/athletic/nhl...

Canadiens lines in warmup: Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovský Kreider-Newhook-Anderson Bolduc-Danault-Texier F. Xhekaj-Evans-Dach Matheson-Carrier Hutson-Dobson A. Xhekaj-Engström Fowler Dobeš

Jacob Fowler and Adam Engström making their season debut tonight. Looks like Jayden Struble is coming out. Engström says he will play on the right side.

“I think if you compare it to last year, and let’s say we had the exact same start, I think there’s a different mood in here. Like today, everyone in here was a little pissy.” On the Canadiens trying to keep up with their own standards: www.nytimes.com/athletic/767...

Canadiens doing a chip and chase drill this morning. Or a deep game drill, if you will. This is where we are.

Canadiens lines in warmup: Caufield-Suzuki-Kreider Slafkovský-Newhook-Dach Bolduc-Danault-Texier F.Xhekaj-Evans-Anderson Matheson-Dobson Hutson-Carrier Struble-A.Xhekaj Dobeš Montembeault

With Ivan Demidov out two to four weeks, Canadiens lines this morning: Caufield-Suzuki-Kreider Slafkovský-Newhook-Dach Anderson-Evans-F. Xhekaj Texier-Danault-Bolduc Matheson-Dobson Hutson-Carrier Struble-A. Xhekaj

Canadiens weekly notebook: www.nytimes.com/athletic/766...

Will be commenting on the game tonight over at @theathletic.com's Chat room. Come join us: www.nytimes.com/athletic/nhl...

Canadiens lines in warmup at PPG in Pittsburgh: Caufield-Suzuki-Kreider Slafkovský-Newhook-Demidov Texier-Danault-Dach Bolduc-Evans-Anderson Matheson-Dobson Hutson-Carrier Struble-A. Xhekaj Dobeš Montembeault

No lineup changes for Canadiens tonight in Pittsburgh per MSL

How Chris Kreider is adapting to his new team and new linemates, and how Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield also need to adapt to him. www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...

On the Canadiens number one defensive priority this season, rush defence, and the role Derek Lalonde is playing in implementing it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...

On the Canadiens number one defensive priority this season, rush defence, and the role Derek Lalonde is playing in implementing it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...

On the beginning of a new Canadiens season, some questions that were answered, and some that remain unanswered: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...

Me and my colleagues from @theathletic.com will be dicussing the game over here tonight, come join us! www.nytimes.com/athletic/nhl...

Canadiens lines in warmup in Toronto: Kreider-Suzuki-Caufield Slafkovský-Newhook-Demidov Texier-Danault-Dach Bolduc-Evans-Anderson Matheson-Dobson Hutson-Carrier Struble-A. Xhekaj Dobeš Montembeault

Canadiens notebook: final cuts, the captain’s view of the new second line, the newest member of the friendship circle: “I’m confused” — Chris Kreider www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...

It's been obvious throughout training camp why the Canadiens organization is so high on Luke Mittelstadt, and it's been obvious tonight as well. Pro habits all over the place.