TORONTO — If you’re a Montreal Canadiens fan, you might want to look away. Or maybe scream into a pillow. Because Tuesday night in Toronto was nothing short of a disaster for the Habs — a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of their forever rivals, the Maple Leafs, in a game that left fans stunned, speechless, and searching for answers.
This wasn’t just a loss. This was a statement — and not the kind you want associated with your team.
Toronto came out flying at Scotiabank Arena, and Montreal looked like they missed the bus. Auston Matthews opened the scoring just four minutes in, and the Leafs never looked back. William Nylander danced through the Canadiens’ defense like they weren’t even there, while Mitch Marner dished out three assists in a performance that looked effortless.
But perhaps the most damning part of the night? The Canadiens looked like they quit.
Goaltender Samuel Montembeault was hung out to dry repeatedly, facing 38 shots and getting absolutely zero help in front of him. Turnovers, missed assignments, no backcheck, and barely any forecheck — it was the kind of effort that screams crisis mode.
The Stats Hurt, But the Optics Hurt More
Montreal has now lost five straight, has been shut out twice in a row, and has scored just one goal in their last three games. Head coach Martin St. Louis looked visibly frustrated behind the bench, and his postgame comments didn’t do much to calm the storm.
“We’re not competing hard enough,” he said bluntly. “Toronto brought their best, and we didn’t respond. That’s unacceptable.”
Unacceptable is right. This team is spiraling, and fast.
What’s Going Wrong?
The defense is a mess. The offense is invisible. The special teams are… well, let’s not even talk about the power play that went 0-for-4 and looked like a disorganized beer league unit. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have combined for just two points in the last five games. Veterans aren’t leading. Youngsters look overwhelmed. And the energy? Flatlining.
At what point does GM Kent Hughes start pulling levers? Or does he already have one hand on the rebuild button — again?
Leafs Loving It, Canadiens Drowning
While Montreal drowns in dysfunction, the Leafs are surging. Matthews is back in Hart Trophy form, the defense is clamping down, and Ilya Samsonov posted his third shutout of the season without breaking a sweat.
Leafs fans were chanting “Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye” midway through the third period — and honestly, the Canadiens looked like they were ready to leave, too.
What’s Next?
Montreal returns home to face the surging Florida Panthers, and if things don’t change fast, the boos at Bell Centre might hit new decibel levels. The pressure is mounting. The frustration is boiling. The fanbase is losing patience.
Is this rock bottom? Or could it somehow get worse?
One thing’s clear: if the Canadiens don’t find their identity — and fast — this season could spiral into a full-blown nightmare.
Stay tuned. Things are getting ugly in Montreal