Dylan Larkin buzz, blue-line depth headline Canadiens evening report

The biggest storyline around the Bell Centre this evening features a player who doesn’t even wear a Canadiens jersey. According to Daily Faceoff, Detroit captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, and his appearance in Montreal clearly struck a chord with the home crowd, enough that his reaction was described as one of curiosity about the whole scene. Daily Faceoff also notes that, reportedly, the Canadiens are not on Larkin’s approved list of destinations.

Dobson and a rare full blue line in Montreal

While Larkin chatter swirls, the focus in Montreal is squarely on the Habs’ own defence. La Presse points out that since Noah Dobson was acquired in June 2025, the Canadiens have enjoyed something they haven’t often had in recent years: a complete blue line. The move didn’t instantly turn them into a defensive powerhouse, but it did give them a much more solid group on the back end.

The Hockey Writers, looking at the week ahead, zeroes in on several key storylines: how Martin St. Louis manages the workload of his top line, how Dobson fits into the broader picture, and where Lane Hutson slots in. The piece underlines the balancing act every coach faces early in the season, trying to lock in structure while dealing with expectations and early bumps and bruises.

Fowler’s shootout win and the Sabres up next

On the ice, the Canadiens are coming off a 1–0 shootout win over the Red Wings at the Bell Centre on Saturday night. Eyes on the Prize credits that victory largely to an excellent outing from goaltender Jacob Fowler, while also pointing to some questionable officiating along the way. With the win, the Habs are 2-2-1, sitting 6th in the Atlantic Division with 5 points through 5 games.

Daily Faceoff also raises a broader market question through the lens of Chris Kreider, an American who chose to sign with the Canadiens. The outlet wonders whether Montreal could emerge as a more attractive northern destination for U.S.-born players.

Next up, the Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, with puck drop set for 6:30 p.m. Montreal time at the Bell Centre. It’s an early-season divisional matchup that gives the Habs a chance to build on Saturday’s shootout result and climb the Atlantic standings.