Arpon Basu
@arponbasu.bsky.social
The Athletic’s senior columnist on the Montreal Canadiens, co-host of the Basu and Godin Notebook podcast, regular contributor for Habs on TSN. Subscribe at:
Print: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nhl/team/canadiens/
Audio: https://basuandgodin.com/
Print: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nhl/team/canadiens/
Audio: https://basuandgodin.com/
Pinned
Juraj Slafkovský has arrived for Canadiens, who can only hope Olympics again give him a boost
Slafkovský's last trip to the Olympics vaulted him to the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft. What heights might the upcoming Olympics bring?
www.nytimes.com
No weekly Canadiens notebook today. Instead, there’s this on Juraj Skafkovský as he prepares for his next Olympic moment just as he arrives on the cusp of NHL stardom: www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Juraj Slafkovský matched a career high with seven shots on goal tonight.
February 1, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Juraj Slafkovský matched a career high with seven shots on goal tonight.
Basically only Canadiens fans remaining in the building, serenading the road team as time expires.
There's been a lot of big wins for the Canadiens this season. This might be the biggest so far.
There's been a lot of big wins for the Canadiens this season. This might be the biggest so far.
February 1, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Basically only Canadiens fans remaining in the building, serenading the road team as time expires.
There's been a lot of big wins for the Canadiens this season. This might be the biggest so far.
There's been a lot of big wins for the Canadiens this season. This might be the biggest so far.
Oliver Kapanen nearly 200 feet into an empty net and the Canadiens lead 4-2
February 1, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Oliver Kapanen nearly 200 feet into an empty net and the Canadiens lead 4-2
I would estimate there's been roughly five offside calls missed in this game, and that might be a conservative estimate
February 1, 2026 at 2:41 AM
I would estimate there's been roughly five offside calls missed in this game, and that might be a conservative estimate
Canadiens good forecheck, Dach to Suzuki to Caufield and it is 3-2 Montreal
February 1, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Canadiens good forecheck, Dach to Suzuki to Caufield and it is 3-2 Montreal
Canadiens start the third strong, piling up possessions in the Sabres zone, and Caufield tips home a Dobson pass in the slot to tie it up 2-2
February 1, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Canadiens start the third strong, piling up possessions in the Sabres zone, and Caufield tips home a Dobson pass in the slot to tie it up 2-2
The Canadiens go into the third down 2-1, and are frankly fortunate to be only down one goal. That period was all Sabres.
February 1, 2026 at 1:48 AM
The Canadiens go into the third down 2-1, and are frankly fortunate to be only down one goal. That period was all Sabres.
Just as Lane Hutson's second minor of the game expired, and as the Canadiens were on the verge of killing off a second straight penalty, Noah Ostlund gives the Sabres a 2-1 lead with a rocket from the slot.
February 1, 2026 at 1:47 AM
Just as Lane Hutson's second minor of the game expired, and as the Canadiens were on the verge of killing off a second straight penalty, Noah Ostlund gives the Sabres a 2-1 lead with a rocket from the slot.
Jakub Dobeš with a big save on Josh Doan, Sabres taking it to the Canadiens here.
February 1, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Jakub Dobeš with a big save on Josh Doan, Sabres taking it to the Canadiens here.
Owen Power scores on a delayed penalty to tie it up 1-1.
February 1, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Owen Power scores on a delayed penalty to tie it up 1-1.
Excellent Canadiens patience on the power play, Suzuki to Slafkovský in the bumper and he wires it top corner, 1-0 Canadiens.
That is a new career high in goals Slafkovský with his 21st.
That is a new career high in goals Slafkovský with his 21st.
February 1, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Excellent Canadiens patience on the power play, Suzuki to Slafkovský in the bumper and he wires it top corner, 1-0 Canadiens.
That is a new career high in goals Slafkovský with his 21st.
That is a new career high in goals Slafkovský with his 21st.
Canadiens warmup lines in Buffalo
Caufield-Suzuki-Dach
Slafkovský-Kapanen-Demidov
Anderson-Danault-Gallagher
Veleno-Evans-Bolduc
Matheson-Guhle
Hutson-Dobson
Xhekaj-Carrier
Dobeš
Montembeault
Caufield-Suzuki-Dach
Slafkovský-Kapanen-Demidov
Anderson-Danault-Gallagher
Veleno-Evans-Bolduc
Matheson-Guhle
Hutson-Dobson
Xhekaj-Carrier
Dobeš
Montembeault
January 31, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Canadiens warmup lines in Buffalo
Caufield-Suzuki-Dach
Slafkovský-Kapanen-Demidov
Anderson-Danault-Gallagher
Veleno-Evans-Bolduc
Matheson-Guhle
Hutson-Dobson
Xhekaj-Carrier
Dobeš
Montembeault
Caufield-Suzuki-Dach
Slafkovský-Kapanen-Demidov
Anderson-Danault-Gallagher
Veleno-Evans-Bolduc
Matheson-Guhle
Hutson-Dobson
Xhekaj-Carrier
Dobeš
Montembeault
Alexandre Texier is not on the ice for Canadiens warmup, Joe Veleno is. Martin St. Louis said this morning there were no changes.
January 31, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Alexandre Texier is not on the ice for Canadiens warmup, Joe Veleno is. Martin St. Louis said this morning there were no changes.
Kaiden Guhle took full responsibility for the hit he took from Josh Manson the other night. Said he put himself in a bad spot and didn’t think Josh Manson’s hit was dirty. Also said his arm blocked most of the blow and he didn’t really take the elbow to the head/face.
January 31, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Kaiden Guhle took full responsibility for the hit he took from Josh Manson the other night. Said he put himself in a bad spot and didn’t think Josh Manson’s hit was dirty. Also said his arm blocked most of the blow and he didn’t really take the elbow to the head/face.
Canadiens defence at morning skate in Buffalo:
Matheson-Guhle
Hutson-Dobson
Xhekaj-Carrier
Matheson-Guhle
Hutson-Dobson
Xhekaj-Carrier
January 31, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Canadiens defence at morning skate in Buffalo:
Matheson-Guhle
Hutson-Dobson
Xhekaj-Carrier
Matheson-Guhle
Hutson-Dobson
Xhekaj-Carrier
Reposted by Arpon Basu
On the Canadiens defence, the Avalanche, and forging a path that bucks conventional hockey wisdom
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Canadiens mobile defence face their mirror image and come out victorious vs. Avalanche
As the Canadiens attempt to forge a new defensive path to success, they defeated a team attempting to blaze that trail.
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:32 PM
On the Canadiens defence, the Avalanche, and forging a path that bucks conventional hockey wisdom
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Reposted by Arpon Basu
According to The Athletic's NHL playoff predictor, the Sabres have an 82-percent chance to make the playoffs. And they now have a non-zero chance of winning the Stanley Cup.
"We’re not just gonna go for the playoffs, we’re gonna go for the Cup."
"We’re not just gonna go for the playoffs, we’re gonna go for the Cup."
Alex Tuch says Sabres aren’t just headed for playoffs — they want the Stanley Cup
"We're not in here just to squeak in," said Tuch, who scored a hat trick against the Kings.
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:41 PM
According to The Athletic's NHL playoff predictor, the Sabres have an 82-percent chance to make the playoffs. And they now have a non-zero chance of winning the Stanley Cup.
"We’re not just gonna go for the playoffs, we’re gonna go for the Cup."
"We’re not just gonna go for the playoffs, we’re gonna go for the Cup."
On the Canadiens defence, the Avalanche, and forging a path that bucks conventional hockey wisdom
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Canadiens mobile defence face their mirror image and come out victorious vs. Avalanche
As the Canadiens attempt to forge a new defensive path to success, they defeated a team attempting to blaze that trail.
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:32 PM
On the Canadiens defence, the Avalanche, and forging a path that bucks conventional hockey wisdom
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
In their final two games at the Bell Centre before the Olympic break, the Canadiens beat the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche. Just as we all predicted.
January 30, 2026 at 2:35 AM
In their final two games at the Bell Centre before the Olympic break, the Canadiens beat the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche. Just as we all predicted.
Kapanen to Slafkovský and it is 7-3 Canadiens. The Avs have allowed 12 goals in 24 hours.
That is Slafkovský's 20th of the season, matching a career high.
That is Slafkovský's 20th of the season, matching a career high.
January 30, 2026 at 2:18 AM
Kapanen to Slafkovský and it is 7-3 Canadiens. The Avs have allowed 12 goals in 24 hours.
That is Slafkovský's 20th of the season, matching a career high.
That is Slafkovský's 20th of the season, matching a career high.
Cale Makar went very awkwardly into the end boards on that last shift, skated to the Avs bench under his own power but looked to be in some degree of discomfort once he got there.
January 30, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Cale Makar went very awkwardly into the end boards on that last shift, skated to the Avs bench under his own power but looked to be in some degree of discomfort once he got there.
Suzuki and Carrier get out on a 2 on 1 against Makar. Suzuki over to Carrier for the goal. 6-3 Canadiens.
January 30, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Suzuki and Carrier get out on a 2 on 1 against Makar. Suzuki over to Carrier for the goal. 6-3 Canadiens.
Nichushkin to Colton in front and it's 5-3 Canadiens. That goal was coming. A timeout wouldn't be a bad idea here.
January 30, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Nichushkin to Colton in front and it's 5-3 Canadiens. That goal was coming. A timeout wouldn't be a bad idea here.
Joel Kiviranta gets one back for the Avs, puts in a long rebound to make it 5-2
January 30, 2026 at 1:41 AM
Joel Kiviranta gets one back for the Avs, puts in a long rebound to make it 5-2
Kirby Dach banks one in off Wedgewood and it's 5-1 Canadiens. Tough little stretch for Wedgewood there.
January 30, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Kirby Dach banks one in off Wedgewood and it's 5-1 Canadiens. Tough little stretch for Wedgewood there.