Happy birthday to former Canadiens forward Emil Heineman, who turns 24 today. He has 8-4-12 totals in 18 games this season with the Islanders after being sent to New York this summer as part of trade for Noah Dobson. Photo by John Mahoney of The Gazette

Happy birthday to former Canadiens forward Pierre Larouche, who turns 70 today. He scored 50 goals with #Habs in 1979-80.

It was seven years ago today that my great friend Randy Tieman passed away at age 64. The longtime CTV Montreal sportscaster was the nicest man I ever met. He's gone, but never forgotten. Rest in peace, T. Here's link to column I wrote after his death: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

My column on Canadiens going 0-for-7 on power play - including two lengthy 5-on-3 advantages - in 3-2 loss to Boston Bruins Saturday night at Bell Centre:

Lineups for Canadiens vs. Bruins

My story setting up tonight's game between Canadiens and Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., Citytv, SNE, TVA Sports) with Samuel Montembeault starting in goal for #Habs and Jared Davidson making his NHL debut after getting called up from AHL's Laval Rocket: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Check out this fun Hockey Inside/Out Show Bonus episode as former Canadiens teammates Brian Skrudland and Rick Green tell some great stories about their 1986 team that won the Stanley Cup #Habs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8SP...

Happy birthday to former Canadiens defenceman Justin Barron, who turns 24 today. He has 0-4-4 totals in 18 games this season with the Nashville Predators. Photo by The Gazette's John Mahoney

Full team rosters and stats ahead of tonight's game between the Canadiens and Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., Citytv, SNE, TVA Sports) #Habs:

My weekly Stu's Slapshots notebook, including #Habs players being happy they no longer have to wear suits and ties to games, why Cole Caufield had to autograph 1,800 of his No. 22 sweaters and why there were so many Dallas Stars sweaters at Bell Centre: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

My weekly #Habs Mailbag answering questions about why the Canadiens struggle against experienced playoff teams, is there a goaltending or a defence problem, what Santa could bring the Canadiens and what players look for in free agency: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

My story on the Canadiens' Alex Newhook expected to be out for four months after surgery on a fractured ankle, while teammate Kaiden Guhle will miss another 8-10 weeks after surgery on partially torn adductor muscle #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

A look at the Atlantic Division standings this morning after Canadiens lost 7-0 to Dallas Stars last night at Bell Centre #Habs

My story on Canadiens' goaltending problem getting worse in 7-0 loss to Dallas Stars Thursday night at Bell Centre with Jakub Dobes allowing five goals on 13 shots before getting pulled after second period #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Column I wrote earlier today on Canadiens getting a taste of success as youngest team in NHL but also facing added pressure from fan base #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY Nov. 13, 1955: Jacques Plante made 52 saves for his second shutout in twi nights in a 2-0 win over the Blackhawks in Chicago. Plante recorded 58 shutouts during his 11 seasons with the Canadiens to rank second behind George Hainsworth with 75.

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY Nov. 13, 1974: Hall of Fame defenceman Guy Lapointe recorded the only hat-trick of his NHL career in an 8-6 loss to the Buffalo Sabres at the Forum.

Happy birthday to former Montreal Junior Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres star Gilbert Perreault. The Hall of Famer turns 75 today. He was the No. 1 overall pick at the 1970 NHL Draft after posting 51-70-121 totals in 54 games with Junior Canadiens.

Full team rosters and stats ahead of tonight's game between the Canadiens and Dallas Stars at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS). Jakub Dobes will start in goal for #Habs:

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 [email protected].

Skrudland was a blast!

My column on the Canadiens' goaltending situation. While Martin St. Louis says he hasn't lost confidence in Samuel Montembeault, it's time to give Jakub Dobes a shot at the No. 1 job. Dobes will be in goal Thursday vs. Dallas Stars at Bell Centre #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Here's link to this week's Hockey Inside/Out Show as I have some fun with former Canadiens and 1986 Stanley Cup champs Brian Skrudland and Rick Green while discussing #Habs 5-1 loss to L.A. Kings, the struggles of goalie Samuel Montembeault and much more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rO1...

A look at the Atlantic Division standings after Canadiens lost 5-1 to Los Angeles Kings last night at Bell Centre #Habs

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY Nov. 12, 1980: Steve Shutt had a hat-trick in 8-4 win over Los Angeles Kings at the Forum, becoming the eighth player in franchise history with 300 career goals. Shutt finished his Hall of Fame career 424 goals, ranking fifth in Canadiens history.

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY Nov. 12, 2016: Carey Price made 25 saves in a 5-0 win over Detroit Red Wings at the Bell Centre, becoming first goalie in NHL history to win his first 10 games in a season. The Canadiens improved their record to 13-1-1 with their 10th straight home win.

Canadiens will practise at 11:30 a.m. today at CN Sports Complex in Brossard ahead of Thursday's game at Bell Centre against the Dallas Stars (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS) #Habs

My column on what was a good night at the Bell Centre for four former Canadiens as the Los Angeles Kings beat the #Habs 5-1. It was a bad night for the Canadiens - especially Samuel Montembeault and Juraj Slafkovsky: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Lineups for Canadiens vs. Kings

Samuel Montembeault will be back in goal tonight for Canadiens.

My column on Noah Dobson being a great fit with Canadiens as Mike Matheson’s new defence partner:

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY Nov. 11, 2023: Kaiden Guhle scored in overtime for a 3-2 win over Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre. Guhle (21 years, 297 days) became second-youngest defenceman in Canadiens history to score an OT goal behind P.K. Subban (21 years, 249 days).

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY Nov. 11, 1989: Larry Robinson played for the first game against his former team as the Kings beat the Canadiens 5-4 in Los Angeles. The Hall of Famer signed with the Kings after spending 17 seasons with the Canadiens.

Full team rosters and stats ahead of tonight's game between the Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS) #Habs:

My story on Marc Bergevin getting hired as GM of Team Canada for the Spengler Cup with fourth anniversary of him getting fired by the Canadiens approaching #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

My column on Martin St. Louis continuing to grow into his job as a modern-day head coach of the Canadiens #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

#Habs captain Nick Suzuki taking therapy day today and not practising with teammates. He also took a therapy day last Wednesday and missed practice. Suzuki has never missed a game during his 7-year NHL career, playing in 470 consecutive games. Photo by The Gazette's John Mahoney

Canadiens will practise at 10:30 a.m. today at CN Sports Complex in Brossard as they prepare for Tuesday night's game at the Bell Centre against the L.A. Kings (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS). #Habs

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY Nov. 9, 1974: Steve Shutt recorded first career hat-trick in 4-3 win over Vancouver Canucks at Forum. Shutt ranks fifth in career goals with Habs (408), trailing Maurice Richard (544), Guy Lafleur (518), Jean Béliveau (507), and Yvan Cournoyer (428).

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY Nov. 9, 1957: Claude Provost set NHL record by scoring four seconds into second period of 4-2 win over Boston Bruins at Forum. It was fastest goal from start of any period in NHL history. The record was later tied by Denis Savard and James van Riemsdyk.

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY Nov. 9, 1944: The Punch Line combined for 17 points in a 9-2 win over Chicago Blackhawks at the Forum. Maurice Richard had three goals and two assists, Elmer Lach had two goals and four assists and Toe Blake had one goal and five assists.

My column on the Canadiens' 6-2 win over Utah Mammoth Saturday night at the Bell Centre, improving their record to 10-3-2. After 15 games last season #Habs were 4-9-2. What a difference a year makes: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Lineups for Canadiens vs. Mammoth

My story on Canadiens announcing this morning that coaching consultant Roger Grillo is battling cancer. He was hired by #Habs last year after being an assistant coach at University of Vermont when Martin St. Louis played there: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Samuel Montembeault will start in goal tonight for #Habs

Canadiens announced this morning that coaching consultant Roger Grillo is battling cancer. "Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleague and our friend. We stand with him and his loved ones during his fight." Here's story I wrote after #Habs hired him: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY Nov. 8, 1969: Jacques Lemaire recorded his first career hat-trick in a 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Forum. Lemaire played 12 seasons with the Canadiens, scoring 366 goals and winning eight Stanley Cups.

THIS DATE IN HABS HISTORY Nov. 8, 1942: Maurice Richard scored his first NHL goal in a 10-4 win over New York Rangers at Forum. Nov. 8, 1952: Richard scored his 325th career goal in a 6-4 win over Chicago Blackhawks at Forum, moving past Nels Stewart for the all-time NHL record.

My weekly Stu's Slapshots notebook, leading off with #Habs goaltender Jakub Dobes showing that there is crying in hockey, which is fine with his goalie mindset coach Pete Fry @PeteFry_Mindset: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...

Check out this Hockey Inside/Out Bonus episode as former Canadiens teammates and 1986 Stanley Cup champions Chris Nilan and Rick Green weigh in on the beating Habs' Jayden Struble put on the Ottawa Senators' Nick Cousins: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...