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By the numbers: the Canadiens’ offense is (truly) elite

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Dec 26, 2025 4:05 PM ET

The Canadiens are enjoying an encouraging 2025-26 season so far. The club ranks second in the Atlantic with a 20-12-5 record, despite a rash of injuries.

And above all, with goalkeepers who seriously struggled for much of the season.

That said, the club has found ways to win in spite of it all. And what’s clear is that, generally speaking, it’s thanks to its offense that the Canadiens are winning so many games.

In fact, the Habs currently rank fifth in the NHL for goals scored this season, with 121.

This time last year, they were 22nd, with 100 goals.

5th in NHL in goals scored after 37 games. https://t.co/ZylMNB2kqU

– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) December 24, 2025

To explain this, it’s hard to ignore the impact of Ivan Demidov and Noah Dobson, who are both among the club’s top scorers this season. Seeing Juraj Slafkovský play big hockey from the start of the year hasn’t hurt either.

But what’s clear is that the improvement is truly collective. In fact, when you compare the club’s top six Christmas break scorers over the past two years, the improvement is considerable.

Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, and Juraj Slafkovský are producing at a better rate than last year, and the club is now banking on Ivan Demidov and Noah Dobson instead of Jake Evans and Mike Matheson in the top 6.

Top 6 scorers at Christmas break
This season:
Suzuki: 42 pts
Caufield: 36 pts
Hutson: 35 pts
Demidov: 30 pts
Slaf: 25 pts
Dobson: 23 pts

Last season:
Suzuki: 35 pts
Caufield: 32 pts
Hutson: 26 pts
Evans: 21 pts
Slaf: 19 pts
Matheson: 17 pts

– Guillaume Villemaire (@GVillemaire13) December 24, 2025

For many, many years, the Habs had a moribund offense, and it was thanks to Carey Price that they found a way to steal games. Today, however, it’s just the opposite: there are very few clubs that can match the Habs’ offensive firepower.

Imagine if Price had had a forward like that during his years in Montreal, hehe.

Overtime

– Good flash!

From Canada’s Team to Team Canada… Our friends at the @BlueJays have loaned us their home run horn for the #WorldJuniors!

From Canada’s Team to Team Canada… Our friends at the Blue Jays have loaned us their home run horn for the #WorldJuniors! pic.twitter.com/CJRjIH5fky

– Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 26, 2025

– Michael Misa will be able to play tonight. He’ll be at the center of the first line.

Michael Misa gearing up for #WorldJuniors

Dale Hunter confirms he’s good to go and will start as Canada’s top-line center @TSN_Sports pic.twitter.com/vKUeKhhKBC

– Mark Masters (@markhmasters) December 26, 2025

– David Tomasek’s contract will be terminated.

The #Oilers will be placing forward David Tomasek on waivers Sunday for the purpose of contract termination. https://t.co/2S6QExcSKG

– Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 26, 2025

– Bummer.

Details on games scheduled for tonight at 7pm at Harding Mazzotti Arena against the Adirondack Thunder, as well as tomorrow at 3pm at Cross Insurance Arena against the Maine Mariners.https://t.co/K3pwJl4YnO pic.twitter.com/Yp7BMMfT0t

– Trois-Rivières Lions (@Lions3r) December 26, 2025

– That’s right.

Match Victory over the Sceptres | “Every time, they’re close and interesting matches ” https://t.co/XLwnhqWTiP

– 98.5 Sports (@985Sports) December 26, 2025

This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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