Canadiens Need to Fix Their Early Defensive Problems

There have also been moments when Montreal’s defensive-zone coverage simply hasn’t been good enough. Opposing players have been able to find open areas, win battles and create second opportunities around the crease. The Canadiens don’t necessarily need to completely change the way they play. They simply need to execute their system more effectively.

Canadiens Have Fixed These Problems Before

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Montreal’s early struggles is that we’ve seen this story before. The Canadiens dealt with many of the same problems during portions of the 2025-26 season. Turnovers were costly, and Montreal’s man-to-man defensive-zone coverage wasn’t always executed properly.

When one player lost his assignment, it could create a chain reaction. Suddenly, another Canadiens player had to leave his man to compensate, opening space somewhere else. Against skilled NHL teams, those mistakes don’t take long to turn into goals.

The good news is that Montreal eventually improved significantly. During the final stretch of last season, the Canadiens became much more comfortable defensively. Their coverage improved, their decisions with the puck became more responsible, and they carried those improvements into the playoffs.

That’s the blueprint Montreal needs to rediscover. Martin St. Louis and his coaching staff don’t necessarily need to reinvent the defensive structure after three games. Instead, they need to get their players executing the details that allowed the system to work last season.

That means cleaner breakouts, fewer unnecessary turnovers, better communication and stronger commitment to individual assignments in the defensive zone. There is plenty of offensive talent on this Canadiens roster. If Montreal can limit the number of opportunities it gives away, the offence should be capable of handling the rest.

Guhle and Kapanen Could Provide a Much-Needed Boost

Help also appears to be coming. According to Jeff Gorton, both Kaiden Guhle and Oliver Kapanen could return within roughly the next week. Getting either player back would be significant, but having both return should make Montreal considerably stronger defensively.

Guhle’s absence is particularly noticeable. He brings a defensive element that isn’t easily replaced. He can handle difficult matchups, defend against the rush, win battles and provide stability alongside Montreal’s more offensively minded defensemen. His return should also allow St. Louis to put his defensive pairings into more natural roles.

Kapanen’s impact shouldn’t be overlooked either. While he won’t solve Montreal’s defensive issues by himself, he is a responsible forward who can help the Canadiens control play and provide another dependable option down the middle. Defensive hockey isn’t only about the six defensemen. Forwards need to support the puck, help on breakouts and make responsible decisions through the neutral zone.

Three games aren’t enough to determine what the Canadiens will be defensively this season, and allowing 14 goals shouldn’t suddenly erase the optimism surrounding the team. However, it does highlight an area that needs immediate attention. The Canadiens have already proven they can fix these exact issues. Now they need to do it again.