Stu Cowan

Team rosters and stats ahead of tonight's game between the Canadiens and Kings in Los Angeles (7 p.m., City, SNE, TVA Sports) #Habs:

After losing 6-5 in shootout to Ducks last night in Anaheim the Canadiens are tied for second in NHL in offence, scoring an average of 3.54 goals per game, trailing only the Colorado Avalanche at 3.82. The #Habs rank 24th in defence, allowing an average of 3.30 goals per game.

Eastern Conference standings ahead of tonight's game between the Canadiens and Kings in Los Angeles (7 p.m., City, SNE, TVA Sports) #Habs

Habs Mailbag: Canadiens are looking good for making the playoffs It's unlikely Habs will be able to catch the Tampa Bay Lightning or Buffalo Sabres, but they should finish third in Atlantic Division.

My weekly #Habs Mailbag answering questions from Canadiens fans about where team will finish in standings, the goalie situation, Jacob Fowler in Laval, the Four Clydesdales from the 2021 playoff run, forward prospect Michael Hage and more: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Cowan: Canadiens GM sticks to long-term plan at NHL trade deadline "If we had found a deal that we thought made sense at the right price we would have done it," Kent Hughes says after standing pat.

My column on Canadiens GM Kent Hughes sticking to long-term rebuilding plan and standing pat at NHL trade deadline #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Team rosters and stats ahead of tonight's game between the Canadiens and Ducks in Anaheim (9 p.m., TSN2, RDS). Samuel Montembeault will start in goal for #Habs:

Eastern Conference standings ahead of tonight's game between the Canadiens and Ducks in Anaheim (9 p.m., TSN2, RDS) #Habs:

Cowan: No-trade clause was key for family-focused Canadien Mike Matheson Veteran defenceman loves playing for Habs and has strong roots in Montreal, which is why he insisted on no-movement clause in new contract.

My column on Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson insisting on a no-trade clause in his new contract because his heart — and his family — is in Montreal #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Here's link to this week's Hockey Inside/Out Show as I join former Canadiens teammates and 1986 Stanley Cup champs Chris Nilan and Rick Green to discuss #Habs 7-5 loss to San Jose Sharks, the NHL trade deadline and much more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyEp...

Cowan: Don't expect the Canadiens to be active ahead of trade deadline Habs don't have much salary-cap space and patience has paid off during this four-year rebuilding process, which is well ahead of schedule.

My column on why Canadiens GM Kent Hughes might do nothing for the second straight year on NHL trade-deadline day #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

GOT A QUESTION ABOUT THE HABS?
If you have a question about the Canadiens you'd like me to answer in my weekly #Habs Mailbag this weekend you can post it below or send an email to montrealcanadiens@postmedia.com.

Happy birthday to legendary hockey broadcaster Dick Irvin, who turns 94 today. Here's link to Q&A story I did on him four years ago when he turned 90 #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Cowan: Canadiens hoping Kirby Dach can hold spot on No. 1 line Before facing Sharks Tuesday night the 6-foot-4, 221-pound winger had 3-3-6 totals in last six games with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.

My column on Kirby Dach looking to keep his spot on #Habs No. 1 line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Dach has 3-3-6 totals in his last six games playing on that line after recovering from his latest injury - a broken foot. montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

No changes to #Habs lineup for tonight's game in San Jose against Sharks (10 p.m., TSN2, RDS). That means Jakub Dobes starts in goal with Joe Veleno, Alexandre Texier and Arber Xhekaj are healthy scratches:

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY
March 3, 1968: Jean Béliveau scored in a 5-2 loss to the Red Wings in Detroit, becoming the second player in NHL history after Gordie Howe with 1,000 career points.

Happy birthday to Canadiens assistant coach Stéphane Robidas, who turns 49 today #Habs Photo by The Gazette's John Mahoney

Canadiens are sitting in first wild-card playoff spot in Eastern Conference ahead of tonight's game against the Sharks in San Jose (10 p.m., TSN2, RDS) #Habs:

Team rosters and stats ahead of tonight's game between the Canadiens and Sharks in San Jose (10 p.m., TSN2, RDS) #Habs:

Cowan: Canadiens roll into California with good vibrations Habs captain Nick Suzuki and teammates looking forward to bonding, fun and sun on three-game road swing.

My column on Canadiens' week-long, three-game road trip to California coming at a good time for the team and captain Nick Suzuki #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Happy birthday to former Canadiens forward Max Domi, who turns 31 today. He has 9-22-31 totals this season with Toronto Maple Leafs. His most productive season in NHL was 2018-19 with #Habs when he had 28-44-72 totals.

Happy birthday to former Canadiens forward Claude Larose, who turns 84 today. He won five Stanley Cups with #Habs.

A look at the Atlantic Division standings after the Canadiens beat the Washington Capitals 6-2 last night at Bell Centre #Habs:

Canadiens' schedule for March - 15 games in 31 days #Habs:

Link to my Stu's Slapshots notebook leading off with #Habs family continuing to grow with team baby boom. The wives of Alexandre Carrier, Noah Dobson, Brendan Gallagher, Nick Suzuki and Samuel Montembeault are all pregnant at same time: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Zachary Bolduc and Jayden Struble will be in lineup for #Habs tonight against Capitals (7 p.m., City, SNE, TVA Sports) with Alexandre Texier, Joe Veleno and Arber Xhekaj healthy scratches. Jakub Dobes starts in goal:

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY
Feb 28, 1978: Guy Lafleur scored three goals and added three assists in a 9-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings at the Forum to reach the 100-point mark for the fourth straight season. Lafleur finished season with 60-72-132 totals to win Art Ross Trophy.

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY
Feb. 28, 1974: Claude Larose scored four goals in a 7-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Forum two nights after scoring three goals in a 6-5 win over the Flames in Atlanta.

Happy birthday to Hall of Famer Eric Lindros, who turns 53 today.

Happy birthday to former Canadiens forward Stéphan Lebeau, who turns 58 today. He was part of #Habs 1993 Stanley Cup team, posting 31-49-80 totals in 71 regular-season games and 3-3-6 totals in 13 playoff games that year.

Habs Mailbag: Losing Arber Xhekaj would be tough for Canadiens "I definitely love playing here and I love helping this team out," rugged defenceman says. "I love the boys."

My weekly #Habs Mailbag answering questions from Canadiens fans about Arber Xhekaj, the goaltending situation, Patrik Laine and how many goals Cole Caufield might score this season: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...