A memorable scene unfolds in the Canadiens’ locker room after their win over the Jets

Wednesday night, the Canadiens’ locker room exploded with joy after the 3-2 shootout win against the Jets.

A few minutes later, the organization published the victory video and we were given privileged behind-the-scenes access. We see Martin St-Louis’ group staying gathered at the center of the locker room while the players celebrate this important win at the Bell Centre.

What stands out is the presence of Martin St-Louis in the middle of it all. The head coach takes the time to shake the hand of each of his players, one by one, from Cole Caufield to Ivan Demidov, including the young players who just went through this big game.

Oliver Kapanen named player of the game and awarded in the locker room

On offense, Juraj Slafkovsky and Oliver Kapanen scored in regulation, while Caufield closed the book in the shootout. It was Ivan Demidov who set up Kapanen’s tying goal, his 8th of the season, with a strong battle won in the corner before sending the puck into the slot.

The famous wolf head for the player of the game is still circulating around the locker room, symbol of this new tradition that replaced the game goggles and that truly seems to bring the group together.

We can also say that Demidov played one of his best games last night. At 19 years old, the 5th overall pick in 2024, the 6-foot-1, 192-pound forward now has 20 points in 26 games, with six goals and 14 assists, making him the second-fastest teenager in Canadiens history to reach 20 points in a season.

Collectively, the Canadiens won 60.7% of faceoffs against Winnipeg and held their own against a team that has now lost six of its last seven games, despite goals from Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, both now at 14 goals this season.

The next challenge is coming quickly for Martin St-Louis’ men. As early as Saturday, the Canadiens will be in Toronto to face Maple Leafs who are struggling in the standings, in another divisional matchup that could give this young group even more confidence if the locker room keeps the same energy after the game.