Steven Stamkos showcased his prowess with two goals and an assist, leading the Nashville Predators to a 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Nashville took an impressive 4-0 lead before fending off a late surge from Vegas, who struggled to find their rhythm despite a strong second half.

Nashville's Filip Forsberg contributed with a goal and an assist, while Justus Annunen was solid in net, making 19 saves. Pavel Dorofeyev had a standout performance for Vegas, netting his first career hat trick, marking him as the team's leading scorer.

Kent Hughes, the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, is emphasizing prudence as his team enjoys a resurgence, moving from the bottom of the NHL standings to playoff contention. After a dismal start, where the Canadiens recorded just 8 wins in their first 24 games, they've turned the season around with a 19-18-3 record and an impressive run, winning eight of their last ten outings.

This turnaround aligns with Hughes' strategic shift, trading for veteran defenseman Alexandre Carrier, which has bolstered the team's defensive strength. Hughes remains cautious about the trade deadline, indicating that the team's performance over the next 22 games will influence whether they become buyers or sellers.

Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes remains cautious as his team has surged from the NHL basement into playoff contention, currently sitting one game above .500. With a recent performance of eight wins in ten games, Hughes acknowledges the team's improvement but stresses that they haven't accomplished anything significant yet.

The Canadiens, having struggled at the start of the season, now find themselves in the playoff mix thanks in part to a strategic trade that brought veteran defenceman Alexandre Carrier into the fold. Hughes is still evaluating whether to buy or sell at the upcoming trade deadline, emphasizing a long-term vision for building a competitive team.

The Montreal Canadiens are showing signs of improvement this season, despite setbacks such as Patrik Laine's injury and inconsistent performances from players like Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, and Cayden Primeau. The team's management, led by GM Kent Hughes, is signaling a shift from a development-focused approach to one that emphasizes achieving results. A recent trade that brought in defenseman Alexandre Carrier in exchange for Justin Barron reflects this change, as it aims to stabilize the defensive lineup and allow younger players to focus on their natural positions.

On the offensive front, the Canadiens are evaluating their roster with three forwards on expiring contracts. Jake Evans is having a standout season, nearing his career-high in goals and points. His performance could lead to a contract extension rather than a trade, as he brings versatility and stability to the center position. With uncertainties surrounding other centers like Dach and Newhook, retaining Evans might be crucial for the team's future.

Evans has been particularly effective on the penalty kill, contributing significantly to the team's success in that area. While he may not be a top-line player, his reasonable contract expectations and loyalty to the franchise could make him a valuable asset moving forward. Hughes' strategy appears to prioritize maintaining key players like Evans to foster a competitive environment as the team continues its rebuild.

Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets is a notable trade candidate as he approaches free agency. His agent mentioned that Provorov enjoys living in Columbus and is open to an extension, although talks haven't begun yet.

Meanwhile, Ryan Lindgren of the New York Rangers may also be on the move, especially if the team struggles this season. The Montreal Canadiens are also in the trade conversation, with potential moves involving David Savard and Mike Matheson following their recent trade for Alexandre Carrier.