Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
We have bad news for the Montreal Canadiens ahead of tonight’s game at the Bell Centre.
As the Canadiens prepare to play one of their most important games of the season tonight against the formidable Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell Centre, a key piece will be missing.
The concerns raised earlier this week by general manager Kent Hughes now appear to be materializing: defenseman Kaiden Guhle will likely miss this crucial matchup.
TVA Sports journalist Nicolas Cloutier reported a very telling observation on X during the team’s morning skate ahead of tonight’s game.
Obviously, Martin St-Louis never wants to confirm anything in a press conference, but this says a lot.
Kaiden Guhle likely out as Canadiens adjust defensive pairings vs Lightning
“Carrier and Guhle are skating with [Adam] Nicholas this morning,” Cloutier first noted, referring to the Canadiens’ Director of Hockey Development, who typically works with injured or scratched players before regular practice.
That alone was enough to draw the obvious conclusion from the situation.
“This suggests that Guhle would not be in uniform tonight. We’ll see,” the sports journalist added.
This is a massive loss for the Canadiens.
Facing an offensive powerhouse like the Lightning (led by stars such as Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point) requires a defensive group operating at its absolute best.
Without Guhle to neutralize the opposing top weapons, the task becomes monumental for the rest of the blue line.
As expected, young defensemen Arber Xhekaj and Adam Engstrom will need to step up and prove they can hold the fort in what has the feel of a playoff game.
Kaiden Guhle, 24, is the Canadiens’ most heavily relied-upon defenseman in defensive situations.
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Are you concerned about the Canadiens’ defensive unit without Kaiden Guhle tonight against the Lightning?