Suzuki sidelined, Canadiens’ resolve tested before Chicago – evening report

Earlier today we noted that Nick Suzuki is out and Owen Beck has been recalled. Tonight, the focus shifts to the scale of the challenge and how the Canadiens are responding as they get set to face the Chicago Blackhawks.

Unprecedented adversity without their captain

Sportsnet characterizes Suzuki’s absence as unprecedented adversity for the Canadiens, underlining that his career-long 546-game ironman streak is over. Montreal suddenly finds itself without its number-one centre and captain just as the schedule starts to ramp up.

La Presse is asking whether fans should be worried about this absence in its latest episode of Sortie de zone, highlighting the range of opinions and growing concerns around the team. Daily Faceoff notes that the injury came when Suzuki was hit by a shot in Tuesday’s game against the San Jose Sharks.

Goaltender Jakub Dobeš, meanwhile, is trying to move past his costly overtime penalty against San Jose. As La Presse reports, roughly a day and a half after the infraction that led to a 4–3 loss, the young netminder was already focused on turning the page despite criticism.

Blown leads, trade market angles and early-season warnings

The Hockey Writers points out that blown leads are becoming an early-season theme for the Canadiens, a stark contrast to last year’s resiliency. In another piece, the site warns that this shaky start to 2026–27 could come back to haunt Montreal if they don’t tighten things up soon.

On Sportsnet, Frank Seravalli details how the play of Montreal’s young core is forcing management to rethink its approach to the trade market. In the broader rumour mill, The Hockey Writers touches on topics like a Connor Hellebuyck offer, Dylan Larkin’s trade list and its potential link to Quinn Hughes, and injuries to players including Suzuki and Linus Ullmark.

Next up: Chicago and the road ahead

The trip now becomes the story. As La Presse notes, the Canadiens head to the American Midwest for a four-game swing, starting in Chicago. Puck drop against the Blackhawks is Friday at 8:00 p.m. Montreal time, a first test of how this group can cope without Suzuki down the middle.

In the standings, the Habs sit sixth in the Atlantic Division with 10 points through nine games (4-3-2). It’s early, but between injuries, rumours and those squandered leads, this road trip already feels like an important checkpoint in the Canadiens’ season.