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Canadiens Announce Coaching Decision on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jan 28, 2026 11:28 AM ET

The Montreal Canadiens are coming off an overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights and now face a major test against the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche.

Cole Caufield extended his goal streak to six games, and Jake Evans sealed the 3-2 win in OT, helping the team secure two points at home.

Jakub Dobes stopped 32 shots in the victory, rebounding from back-to-back losses for Montreal, but despite sitting in a playoff spot after 53 games, questions around the team’s defensive consistency remain, particularly in net.

On Wednesday, the team announced that goaltending coach Eric Raymond has been fired. Raymend had been in the role since 2021.

Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis during an NHL game.Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

The decision, which was announced just hours after the Habs defeated the Golden Knights, has to do with performance-related concerns surrounding Montreal's crease.

“Montreal Canadiens President, Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton announced on Wednesday that goalie coach Eric Raymond has been relieved of his duties,” the team said in a statement.

Raymond’s tenure ends with the Canadiens ranked 28th in save percentage (.884), despite carrying three goaltenders: Dobes, Samuel Montembeault, and Jacob Fowler.

The trio has combined for the ninth-worst goals-against average (3.26) this season, and only Fowler (.902) has been able to keep up a SV% above .890.

The Canadiens have relieved goalie coach Eric Raymond of his duties.

News release ↓ #GoHabsGo https://t.co/6mWGKeRClL
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 28, 2026

Marco Marciano has been named interim goalie coach through the end of the season. He joined the Canadiens organization in 2013 as a video coach for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, and most recently worked with the AHL's Laval Rocket.

Montreal becomes the second NHL team to make a goalie coach change this season, following the New York Islanders' firing of Pierre Greco in late October.

The Canadiens (29-17-7) will host the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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