Montreal Canadiens 2026 Playoffs Player Report Card: Defensemen and Goaltenders – Hockey Writers – Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens’ playoff run featured many surprises, team performances, and a few disappointments. While the team exceeded expectations by making a deep run, not all players played at the same level. Here is the Canadiens goaltending and defense report card following their postseason campaign.

Jakub Dobes: A+

There is no other grade to give Jakub Dobes. Entering the playoffs, the young netminder was still very unproven at the NHL level. By the end of the postseason, he had established himself as one of the biggest stories of the Canadiens’ run. His 9-6-4 record, 2.66 goals against average, and .908 save percentage are solid numbers on paper, but they don’t capture the full extent of his impact.

Time and time again, Dobes came up with timely saves when the Canadiens were played or struggled defensively. He stole games, kept Montreal alive in tough moments, and showed incredible poise for a goaltender with little NHL experience. Without his play, it’s hard to imagine the Canadians progressing as they did.

More importantly, Dobes may have changed the organization’s long-term vision of the goal. What was once considered a promising prospect now looks like a legitimate NHL goalie who can handle playoff pressure.

Lane Hutson: A

Another player who raised his profile in these tournaments is Lane Hutson. The young defenseman led the Canadiens in average ice time with 25:27 per game, an impressive feat considering his age and level of experience. Not only is he reliable in every situation, but he also gave up offensively with 16 points during the postseason.

Hutson has supported the power play, driven the offensive line, and consistently helped the Canadiens move the puck up the ice. There were times when opponents targeted him physically, but he continued to find ways to impact the game.

For a player coming off his first playoff run, Hutson looked like a veteran. Canadians have long known they have a special talent on their hands. These playoffs proved it.

Mike Matheson: C+

Mike Matheson’s postseason was a mixed bag. On the other hand, he continued to log significant minutes and was often matched up against quality competition. On the other hand, there were too many mistakes for a player who is counted on to be one of the leaders of the blue line.

Turnovers, defensive ineptitude, and moments of frustration were more common than Canadiens fans would have liked. However, despite the struggles, Matheson continued to fight and remained a trusted figure on the coaching staff.

Noah Dobson: C-

Noah Dobson’s first playoff run with Montreal was disappointing. The talented defenseman finished with one point and a minus-7 rating. He was playing because of a hand injury; Expectations are always high for a player acquired at such a high price.

The Canadiens gave up two first-round picks and Emil Heineman to bring Dobson to Montreal, and the expectation was that he would be one of the team’s top defensemen. Instead, he struggled to make an impact offensively and looked uncomfortable at times.

Certainly injuries should be considered, but the results were not there. The good news for Montreal is that Dobson is still an elite talent, and there’s no reason to believe that this playoff game represents the player he truly is.

Kaiden Guhle: B-

Kaiden Guhle’s offensive production hasn’t been particularly noteworthy, but that’s not what the Canadiens are asking of him. Guhle’s game is built on physicality, defensive commitment, and closing down opponents.

Throughout the playoffs, he played with intensity and brought a physical presence to the lineup. He wasn’t perfect, and there were times when he struggled against elite competition, but overall, he fulfilled his role successfully.

Alexandre Carrier: B-

Like Guhle, Alexandre Carrier had an up-and-down season that ended up being above average. Carrier’s company was far from perfect and at times struggled to handle the pressure of playoff hockey. However, he also made several key defensive plays and provided stability in the end. The veteran defender wasn’t spectacular, but he wasn’t a crime either. He did the job expected of him and gave the Canadiens valuable minutes throughout the playoffs.

Arber Xhekaj: B

This could be the most amazing distance on the list. After all, Arber Xhekaj did not play a single game in the Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. However, this grade is not to compare him with Hutson or Guhle. It’s about measuring his performance against his expectations.

When Xhekaj was on the line during the first two rounds, he delivered exactly what the Canadians needed. He played a physical game, intimidated opponents, kept fouls to a minimum, and contributed solid defensive minutes. Could he have played more? Maybe. But when he was called, he did his role effectively. Based on your expectations, Xhekaj deserves a good grade.

Jayden Struble: C

Jayden Struble started the playoffs on a positive note. His pairing with Xhekaj showed promise early on, and he looked comfortable in his role. Unfortunately, his play gradually improved as the postseason progressed.

The Canadiens didn’t need Struble to be a star, but they did need more consistency from their sixth defenseman. There were areas where he struggled to make plays and others where he looked hesitant with the puck.

If there’s one big takeaway from the Montreal finals, it’s that the future is always incredibly bright. The Canadiens may not have reached the Stanley Cup Final, but several young players gained valuable experience. And if these playoffs are any indication, the foundation for something special is starting to form in Montreal.