Montreal Canadiens 2026 Playoffs Player Report Card: Forwards

The Montreal Canadiens’ playoff run featured plenty of memorable moments, surprising performances, and a few disappointments. While the team received excellent goaltending and strong contributions from its defence corps, the forward group played a major role in helping Montreal advance further than many expected.

Some players elevated their games when the stakes were highest, while others struggled to provide the offensive production the Canadiens needed. Here’s a look at how each forward performed during Montreal’s playoff journey.

Nick Suzuki: B+

Nick Suzuki once again faced the toughest assignments every night. The Canadiens captain was regularly matched against the opposition’s top players and still managed to finish as Montreal’s leading scorer in the playoffs.

That being said, there is a feeling that the Canadiens needed a little more offensively from their number-one centre who had over 100 points in the regular season. His overall game remained excellent, particularly defensively and in the faceoff circle, but as the team’s offensive leader, expectations are naturally higher.

Cole Caufield: C

Six goals and 13 points in 19 playoff games is respectable production on paper, but a deeper look tells a different story. Only three of those points came at even strength, and there were stretches where Cole Caufield struggled to generate offence outside of the power play.

His physical game was also exposed at times, and his work away from the puck was not consistently where it needed to be. The Canadiens needed more from one of their biggest offensive weapons.

Juraj Slafkovsky: C

Juraj Slafkovsky’s playoffs started in spectacular fashion with a hat trick in Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, looking every bit like the dominant power forward Canadiens fans dream about.

Unfortunately, the production slowed considerably afterward. He scored only three more goals for the remainder of the playoffs and struggled to consistently impose himself physically despite possessing all the tools to do so.

Alex Newhook: A

Alex Newhook deserves a tremendous amount of credit for his playoff performance. His game away from the puck was outstanding throughout the postseason, and his speed remained a major weapon for Montreal. More importantly, he delivered in the biggest moments. Two Game 7 winning goals speak for themselves. While he may never be the team’s top offensive producer, Newhook consistently found ways to impact winning and came through when the Canadiens needed him most.

Ivan Demidov: B-

Expectations for Ivan Demidov were enormous entering the playoffs, but it’s important to remember that he was still a rookie. The talented winger finished with nine points in 19 games, respectable numbers considering he wasn’t consistently playing alongside the team’s top offensive players. There were flashes of brilliance throughout the postseason, but there were also moments where his inexperience showed.

Jake Evans: B+

At this point, Canadiens fans know exactly what they’re getting from Jake Evans. His defensive game remained excellent, he continued to be one of the team’s most trusted penalty killers, and he won important faceoffs throughout the playoffs. Evans rarely receives the spotlight, but his reliability on both sides of the puck remains incredibly valuable.

Phillip Danault: A-

Phillip Danault was one of Montreal’s most important forwards during the playoffs. The veteran centre recorded 10 points while continuing to take on difficult defensive assignments. He was dominant in the faceoff circle, killed penalties, and consistently played against quality competition. His offensive contribution was a pleasant bonus on top of the defensive excellence Canadiens fans have come to expect.

Alex Texier: B-

Alex Texier wasn’t asked to be a star, and he largely accomplished what the Canadiens needed from him. He’s not necessarily built for playoff hockey, but he played within his role and contributed when called upon. His impact may not have always been obvious on the scoresheet, but he generally avoided becoming a liability.

Zachary Bolduc: B+

Zachary Bolduc continued to show why the Canadiens were excited to acquire him. His offensive production was solid, but perhaps more importantly, his forechecking and physicality fit perfectly with playoff hockey. He consistently pressured opposing defencemen and helped create momentum for his line. While there is still room for growth offensively, his overall contribution was a positive one.

Kirby Dach: C

Kirby Dach remains one of the most intriguing players on the roster. The talent is undeniable, and there were moments during the playoffs where he looked capable of taking over shifts. The problem was that those moments did not happen often enough.

The Canadiens needed more involvement from a player with his size, skill, and offensive ability. When he engaged physically and attacked the middle of the ice, he was effective. Too often, however, he faded into the background.

Joe Veleno: C+

Joe Veleno provided adequate depth minutes and generally fulfilled his responsibilities. His effort level was never in question, and he was able to contribute in a supporting role when needed. While he didn’t make a major impact offensively, he gave the Canadiens useful minutes throughout the postseason.

Oliver Kapanen: C-

Oliver Kapanen struggled to consistently influence games. The young forward gained valuable playoff experience, but there were stretches where he was largely invisible. That’s not unusual for a younger player, but Montreal will be hoping for a bigger impact in future playoff appearances.

Brendan Gallagher: C+

Brendan Gallagher continued to bring energy and compete level every night, but the offensive results were limited. His leadership and work ethic remain valuable assets, yet his overall impact wasn’t quite at the level it has been in some previous playoff runs. That’s why he barely played for the Canadiens. 

Josh Anderson: B+

Once again, Josh Anderson proved that he is built for playoff hockey. His combination of speed, physicality, and relentless forechecking caused problems for opponents throughout the postseason. Even when he wasn’t scoring, he was creating momentum and forcing defenders into mistakes.

The encouraging news for Montreal is that many of these players are still young and should continue developing. If the Canadiens can combine the playoff-style performances of their depth players with greater production from their stars, this team could become an even bigger threat in future postseasons.