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Martin St-Louis benched three players during the third period against the Senators


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Elias Edmonson
December 3, 2025  (5:49 PM)
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Nov 22, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Josh Anderson (17) celebrates with teammates including forward Florian Xhekaj (63) after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

The head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Martin St-Louis, is clearly starting to run out of patience with certain players on his team.

On Tuesday night, against the Ottawa Senators, he took concrete actions that made it very clear. Three players were stapled to the bench for the entire third period, or close to it.
Actions spoke louder than anything Martin St-Louis said at intermission, and it's clear he'd had enough.
"After the first period, Martin St-Louis came into the locker room and told us that those who didn't know how to defend were going to stay on the bench."

- Nick Suzuki

"Jake Evans with only two short shifts in the third; Florian Xhekaj just one. Both finished under 10 minutes of ice time. That says a lot about what the coach thought of their game."

- Anthony Marcotte, BPM Sports

"MSL shortens his bench in the third:

Bolduc: 2 shifts
Evans: 2 shifts
F. Xhekaj: 1 shift"

These are the three players clearly being targeted.

Martin St-Louis sends his message to Florian Xhekaj, Jake Evans and Zachary Bolduc

Hard to believe Bolduc even started the game on the top line with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki.
"Zack Bolduc played one shift in the third period."

- David Calabretta, The Fourth Period

Speaking of Florian Xhekaj, his grip on a roster spot is clearly slipping, as he's officially out of the lineup tonight against the Jets in favour of Jared Davidson.
Puck drops at 7:30, with the Canadiens set to honour defenseman Andrei Markov beforehand.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
Brady Tkachuk's goal vs. Canadiens should have never counted due to a blatant missed call just prior
Suzuki reveals St-Louis' blunt locker-room message targeting certain players after loss to Senators
Canadiens could make lineup changes for Jets game, Florian Xhekaj's spot may be in jeopardy
POLL
58 MINUTES AGO   |   94 ANSWERS
Martin St-Louis benched three players during the third period against the Senators

Which one would you put on the Canadiens' first line with Suzuki and Caufield?

▢    Demidov
▢    Bolduc
▢    Slafkovsky

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