Joel Armia's short-handed goal late in the third period secured a 4-3 victory for the Montreal Canadiens over the San Jose Sharks, ending Montreal's five-game losing streak. With this win, the Canadiens improved their recent record from a rough stretch to a more promising outlook.

Aside from Armia, Alex Newhook contributed with a goal and an assist, while Cole Caufield and Brendan Gallagher added to the score sheet. The Canadiens had struggled prior to this game, but Kirby Dach's two assists and Sam Montembault's 27 saves proved crucial in their comeback.

For the Sharks, Tyler Toffoli managed to score and assist, alongside contributions from Macklin Celebrini and Collin Graf. However, San Jose has continued to face challenges, having lost eight of their last nine games.

Joel Armia's short-handed goal late in the third period propelled the Montreal Canadiens to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks, ending their five-game losing streak. The Canadiens were struggling with a record of 0-4-1 prior to this game, and the win brings them back into the mix after previously winning seven out of nine games. Alex Newhook contributed significantly with a goal and an assist, while Cole Caufield and Brendan Gallagher also found the back of the net. Kirby Dach recorded two assists, and goaltender Sam Montembault made 27 saves to secure the win.

The Sharks, on the other hand, have faced tough times recently, suffering their eighth loss in nine games, and have now lost 11 of their last 13 overall. Tyler Toffoli stood out for San Jose, scoring a power-play goal that temporarily tied the game, while Macklin Celebrini and Collin Graf also scored. Alexandar Georgiev made 16 saves in the loss. The game showcased notable back-and-forth action, with Gallagher's power-play goal giving Montreal a brief lead before Toffoli's equalizer. However, Armia's late heroics secured the win.

In a thrilling comeback, the Anaheim Ducks overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 on Sunday. The decisive moment came from Alex Killorn, who scored the tiebreaker with under nine minutes remaining. The Ducks got a boost from Mason McTavish and Frank Vatrano, who netted goals just 40 seconds apart in the second period, marking a significant turnaround after trailing 2-0 at the end of the first period. Despite the loss, the Canadiens managed to score a short-handed goal from Joel Armia and a power-play goal from Christian Dvorak.

Goaltender Lukas Dostal secured the win with 21 saves, while Sam Montembeault stopped 19 shots for Montreal. This victory marks the Ducks' fourth win in five games, showcasing their potential despite ongoing inconsistencies. Conversely, the Canadiens faced their fifth consecutive loss, continuing a tough road trip in California.

The Montreal Canadiens are contemplating the future of forward Jake Evans, whose pending unrestricted free agency status at a $1.7 million cap hit makes him an attractive trade option. While his ideal role may be as a fourth-line center for a contender, Evans has proven his versatility by playing third-line minutes and being effective at both center and wing. Teams such as the Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, and Columbus Blue Jackets have shown interest, with the Capitals reportedly offering a second-round pick during the draft.

Despite the current injury to defenseman Kaiden Guhle, the Canadiens remain committed to their long-term strategy. They are not seeking short-term rental solutions but are focused on trades that would benefit the team beyond the current season. The Canadiens are weighing their options for other pending UFAs such as Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, Michael Pezzetta, and David Savard as they look to build for the future.

The Montreal Canadiens are holding a playoff spot as they navigate the season, prompting a potential shift in their draft strategy. Renaud Lavoie from TVA Sports suggests that rather than offloading their unrestricted free agents, the Canadiens could utilize these players—like David Savard, Joel Armia, and Jake Evans—as internal rentals. With the Canadiens remaining competitive, general manager Kent Hughes may reconsider moving these players for minimal returns such as third or fourth-round picks, especially with their existing surplus of picks from previous drafts. The performance of players like Jake Evans, who is having a career year, is under scrutiny as Hughes aims to secure significant returns if trades do occur. While trades remain a possibility, it seems likely that the Canadiens will prioritize retaining key players to bolster their roster now.