Habs’ top line terrorizes the Islanders
With the Atlantic playoff race seeming to heat up more by every minute of game time, the Montreal Canadiens have done themselves few favours of late. Three regulation losses in their last five games made Saturday night’s contest with the New York Islanders – a team also desperate for wins to get back into the playoff picture – a must win. It was a very close game all the way into the third period, but the Habs pulled away quickly in that frame, earning a massive two points in regulation that they badly needed.
Their top line, led by Mr. Saturday night himself, turned in one of their best performances ever to secure the win.
Mr. Saturday night gets a hat trick, and Patrick Roy is having a bad time. #Habs up 7-3. pic.twitter.com/qkiEqthuDi
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) March 22, 2026
Cole Caufield never misses a Saturday, but his latest effort was something special even by his standards. A hat trick with two assists as the cherries on top led the way for the Habs. We have long known that he excels at finding “soft” ice, but he seemed to be everywhere, all at once against the Islanders. They didn’t have an answer for him, as even when he was covered or had no shooting lane, it was only a matter of time before he’d get open or find one.
The scoring was opened by Juraj Slafkovsky on the power play in the first period, and he stayed very involved with another goal and two assists. He was physically dominant, taking pucks when and where he wanted, fighting through contact that he seemed to relish. He has played very well since returning to the top line, but this was without a doubt his best performance, reminiscent of what he was doing for Slovakia as their premier forward.
Nick Suzuki didn’t find a goal on the night, but he acted as the conduit for their offensive output, moving the puck well for four assists. That mark was important not just for the team’s win, but a potential milestone in the making for him. He is now on pace to reach the 100-point plateau for the first time in his career. He has seemed quiet at times lately, finding ways to produce nonetheless, but looked every bit like an elite two-way centre last night.
This was a strong overall game for the team, but a tour de force from their best players, which brought back memories of last season. Kent Hughes had considered selling last year at the deadline, but was approached by his captain about keeping the band together. The ask of Suzuki was to go out there and deliver, which he did, and the team ended up in the playoffs ahead of schedule. Whether that ask was reiterated for this stretch run is unknown, but the need for him and his wingers to deliver is apparent. More performances like that one will be necessary for this team to get to the dance, so we can only hope that this is just the beginning of them really heating up at the best possible time.
They don’t want to be a one-line team, but they need that one line to be their best. They certainly were on Saturday, and they have 13 more chances remaining to be the difference.
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