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The Canadiens lost 5-2 last night.
And it should be noted that both of the CH’s goals were scored on the powerplay.
It should also be noted that since Patrik Laine’s absence, the Habs have had nine powerplay opportunities. And they’ve converted four of those chances…
It’s only a small sample, since it’s only been two games, but Ivan Demidov really seems to have revitalized the first power-play unit.
In the CH’s last two games against the Caps, the five-man attack is more dynamic – and, above all, less predictable – because Demidov moves around a lot with the puck.
This creates passing lanes, frees up other teammates… and makes you realize that, right now, the five young players on the power play are really doing their job.
Hutson, Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf and Demidov are dangerous when they get on the ice together.
And Nicolas Cloutier makes a good point in his article: all these players are 25 years old or younger.
In defeat, one of the most important chapters in the rebuilding of the Canadiens was written last night.
The beginnings of a quintet that could wreak havoc in the Atlantic for more than 10 years. https://t.co/Ae8c3JAAHz
– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) April 28, 2025
Has Martin St-Louis found the perfect recipe?
Time will tell.
But the Habs coach knew he had “a new card up his sleeve” to use, and in Laine’s absence, he’s not hesitating to trust Demidov on the power play.
So far, it’s working.
And that’s why some people – including Alain Crête – believe that Demidov is taking Laine out of Montreal…
We’re seeing just how dynamic the new unit is, and we’ve also seen that Cole Caufield looks really comfortable after finding his spot on the first unit.
He was the one at the top of the circles last night – Laine’s usual spot – against the Capitals. And if Laine has a good shot… the same can also be said of Caufield, who managed to beat Thompson by scoring a real maverick goal :
Cole Caufield gives the @CanadiensMTL the lead, and this building is LOUD!!!
#StanleyCup
: @NHL_On_TNT (TBS) & @SportsonMax
https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+
– NHL (@NHL) April 28, 2025
Clearly, it’s too early to come to any official conclusions.
But what we’ve seen from the top power play over the past two games is encouraging. Especially as these guys are young and part of Montreal’s future.
That’s promising for the coming years, in any case.
In a gust
– Wow. But to get there, the Oilers’ goalies will have to be more solid…
Most takeaways from a forward since 2020/21:
344 – Mitch Marner
324 – Leon Draisaitl
321 – Auston Matthews
291 – Connor McDavidThis would be a pretty fun final… pic.twitter.com/foRtmMz4x5
– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) April 28, 2025
– Ouch.
Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon and Johnny Kovacevic will all miss Game 5. #NJDevils
– Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) April 28, 2025
– The Stars vs Avalanche series continues tonight.
Bourque sidelined for Game 5; Heiskanen still outhttps://t.co/iTWjeaPaSU
– RDS (@RDSca) April 28, 2025
– News from CF Montreal training :
#CFMTL this Tuesday PM at Centre Nutrilait. One last practice not behind closed doors until next week.
Olger Escobar is on the field. He’s smiling, obviously from training with the pros.
Giacomo Vrioni training with the group for a second day…
– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) April 28, 2025
More must-reads:
- Warriors still positioning themselves for Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster
- Aaron Rodgers responds to criticism from Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Two Teams Linked to a Trade with Bruins for Pavel Zacha
The Boston Bruins are gauging trade interest in forward Pavel Zacha, according to The Fourth Period. Following a down season and a trade deadline where Zacha’s name was thrown around but was ultimately not moved, Bruins GM Don Sweeney is trying to move the 27-year-old Czech center. Zacha is playing in the final season of a contract that has a $4.75 million cap hit. Zacha, acquired from the New Jersey Devils in 2022 for Erik Haula, has been a solid pickup for Boston. He posted 21 goals and 57 points in 78 games in 2023-24, though his production dipped slightly to 47 points over a full 82-game slate last season. He can play up and down the lineup and has a strong two-way game. Who Has Shown Interest in a Zacha Trade? Two teams reportedly monitoring Zacha are the Vancouver Canucks and the Utah Hockey Club. Both teams are seeking top-six forward depth and would value Zacha’s steady offensive contributions. The Canucks have been busy all summer, signing and trading players. They have also been linked to Jack Roslovic talks in free agency, meaning they wouldn’t be adding both. Utah has been looking to make a splash this season and work their way up the standings in an attempt to compete for the playoffs. The Bruins would likely demand a notable return, but neither team is looking to send players back. The trade would likely involve a high pick or a mid-tier prospect. Zacha controls part of the process with an eight-team no-trade list. He’s owed just $3.75 million in actual salary each of the next two seasons, further boosting his trade appeal.
Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should absolutely see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
Cleveland Guardians Slapped With Bad News Before Trade Deadline
The Cleveland Guardians are quite a mystery heading into the MLB trade deadline, as no one seems to know whether they will buy, sell or possibly even do nothing before July 31. The Guardians are hovering around .500, but they are still smack dab in the middle of the American League Wild Card race. That's in spite of losing 10 straight just before the All-Star break. Even with Cleveland remaining in contention, there are some who believe the Guardians might sell given their conservative nature, but talk show host Bruce Drennan has provided some rather bad news for the team in that regard: the players they might want to move don't have much value. “No top prospects for a big bat, and I don’t necessarily see us selling players, like Carlos Santana or Lane Thomas. What can you get in return?” Drennan said. Drennan has a point. Santana and Thomas are both impending free agents, and neither has been all that good this season. Santana owns a .665 OPS, and Thomas has been on and off the injured list while hitting just .160 on the year. Of course, the Guardians would surely be able to land a hefty return for players like Steven Kwan and Emmanuel Clase, but it does not seem like Cleveland is going to move either of those two stars. Perhaps the Guardians will surprise some people and go all in by adding pieces at the deadline, but that isn't exactly in their nature. We'll see what happens before the end of the months, but it stands to reason that Cleveland might just stand pat, as Drennan anticipates. Read More Cleveland Guardians Coverage
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