There’s palpable excitement in the air emanating from Canadiens fans, taking the VIA Rail from Toronto. There are a group of fans debating whether Josh Anderson should remain in the playoff lineup, or when David Reinbacher will eventually be ready for prime time. Although there are Leafs fans making the trip to Montreal, they’re certainly muting their allegiance prior to the game.
Inside a venue that naturally evokes the history of the game, it’s a fascinating time to be covering the Leafs-Canadiens conflict. Montreal has embraced its iconic history, with a large mural of Patrick Roy painted on the wall of the Bell Centre entrance. A row of statues celebrating their 24 Stanley Cups and seemingly countless Hall of Famers adorn the outside concourse. If you know where to look, even the pubs in Old Montreal are a bastion of hockey treasures. And considering the Canadiens are an ascendant power in the Eastern Conference, while boasting the NHL’s best prospect pool, there’s a natural invitation to consider that the league’s most storied franchise may be back to their glory days in short order.
“This is obviously a very fun place to play,” Maple Leafs defenceman Brandon Carlo said prior to the team’s optional skate at the Bell Centre on Tuesday. “I love playing in this rink, there’s always a great atmosphere, especially with the Canadian teams and what not. We’re looking to come out, have fun and play our best game for sure.”
“It’s hard to really stay optimistic in this situation. Just trying to get a win tonight,” Nylander said, barely audible to those standing ten feet away. “It’s not going to help being frustrated. I think the mood in the locker room has changed a little bit. It’s made it a better environment.”
Down the hallway, Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis provides a diametrically opposite thesis.
“What makes it special is the team I idolized growing up,” St. Louis said to conclude his morning media availability. “The pressure for me… I don’t worry about the pressure of the market. I try to be the best version of myself, each and every day. That’s more of the pressure I put on myself. I can’t control everything. I can’t control the results all the time. I try to do my job. I love hockey. I love teaching. I love being part of a team. I love leading. The job really fulfills a lot of my love of life. It’s a great opportunity. It’s fun to do it. I know what the market brings, but I’m not worried about that to be honest.”
The doors leading to the colossal press box, twice the size of Scotiabank Arena, displays a photo of a grinning Nick Suzuki. Throughout the City of Montreal, there is Canadiens insignia to be found everywhere, especially on game days. There is a mural evoking Maurice Richard playfully on my hotel floor. Before checking into the hotel, there are several Birkenstock x Canadiens ads displayed through Montreal’s downtown core. And while the City functions like any other metropolis, the Canadiens’ fan base’s near-religious support of the team is self-evident on Tuesday.
Two hours before the puck drops, there’s a huge line to enter the building. A young kid successfully lobbies his father to buy him a new Juraj Slafkovsky jersey from the outdoor stand, and he squeals in delight. There is a microphone attached to a recording device, imploring fans to send their well wishes to Brendan Gallagher in anticipation of his upcoming 900th NHL game. While the Maple Leafs are spiralling out of control, perhaps into a punch line, there’s nothing the Canadiens’ faithful want more than a win over their nemesis.
After some frothing anticipation, the game starts, and the Canadiens punish the Maple Leafs. Oliver Kapanen converts on a beautiful passing sequence, the culmination of the Canadiens dominating possession from the outset. Phillip Danault scores minutes later, after Kaiden Guhle’s dump-in takes an awkward bounce off the boards, careening right in front of the Leafs’ net, where Joseph Woll didn’t have much of a chance. The benefit of the doubt is only extended to winners, and after running up an 18-5 shot margin, the Canadiens are in cruise control and the Maple Leafs seem hopeless.
Toronto shows more fight in the ensuing periods. Berube, who is seemingly out of answers, promotes Easton Cowan to the first line, and it results in Toronto’s lone goal of the evening. Cowan breaks free and runs a picturesque give-and-go with William Nylander. Nylander converts into the empty cage, and suddenly, a 2-1 deficit doesn’t seem as daunting. Unfortunately, it’s Toronto’s only really dangerous chance of the evening (Dakota Joshua was robbed by Jakub Dobes in the first period, but it seems immaterial in the long view) while Auston Matthews remains mired in a goal drought dating back to January 27.
Herein lies the changing of the guard in the rivalry. After nine years of consecutive playoff appearances, the Maple Leafs have slumped to the bottom, and Berube may be replaced imminently at the end of the season. Montreal is playing some great hockey, with a confident head coach, a young and talented core that seems to be ascending and unfazed by playing in hockey’s cathedral. Tuesday’s game was foreboding: it’s going to be a bleak decade ahead, with the Canadiens poised to rule the day.