Bolduc loses prime roles as Habs shuffle lines: Canadiens evening report

Line shuffling is already a storyline in mid-October for the Montreal Canadiens. As reported by La Presse, Bolduc has seen his responsibilities reduced: after getting a look on the top power play unit and even a shot at five-on-five duty next to Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, he has now lost both of those coveted assignments. It’s an early-season reminder of how quickly roles can change up front in Montreal.

Progress, lapses and injuries in a 4-3-1 start

The Hockey Writers’ weekly look ahead paints a picture of a Canadiens team trying to build an identity. Sitting at 4-3-1 under Martin St. Louis, Montreal has, according to the outlet, shown brief stretches of improved structure, but those positives have been interrupted by defensive lapses that underline an ongoing learning process. The same piece also flags injury woes already affecting the group, without going into specifics, and points to a recent 4-3 result as another example of how tight the margins still are for this roster.

In a separate breakdown of the Buffalo Sabres’ 4-3 loss to the Canadiens, The Hockey Writers describes Buffalo’s start as uneven. From a Montreal perspective, that game still serves as a reminder that even in victory, the Habs are walking a fine line late in games and can’t afford to let opponents hang around.

Standings context and a date with the Sharks

In the Atlantic Division table, the Canadiens currently sit sixth, with 9 points through 8 games and a 4-3-1 record. That pace keeps them in the mix, but offers little breathing room in a division that rarely forgives extended slumps.

Next up, the schedule brings the San Jose Sharks to the Bell Centre on Tuesday, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. Eastern in Montreal. It’s another chance for the Canadiens to tighten the defensive details highlighted by The Hockey Writers, and for players like Bolduc to push their way back into more prominent roles as internal competition heats up.