The echoes of disappointment lingered long after the final buzzer at the Bell Centre, as the Montreal Canadiens trudged off the ice following a night that none of them had envisioned. The Los Angeles Kings had come to town, and what unfolded was a relentless display of dominance that left the Habs and their fans searching for answers. But while the scoreboard told a bleak story, the real drama was only beginning to unfold behind closed doors.

In the aftermath of a stinging 5-1 defeat, the atmosphere in the Canadiens’ locker room was heavy—almost palpable. Faces were downcast, words were few, and the weight of expectation pressed on everyone present. Yet, in moments like these, the true measure of a team is revealed not just in how they lose, but in how they respond. And on this particular morning, head coach Martin St. Louis wasted no time in making his intentions clear.

With a decision that caught many off guard, St. Louis summoned his players to an unscheduled practice in Brossard at 11:30 a.m.—a move that spoke volumes without saying much at all. The message was unmistakable: complacency would not be tolerated, and the time for reflection was over. What exactly transpired during those tense hours after the game? What words were exchanged in the locker room, and what plans were set in motion for the days ahead? The answers remain shrouded in mystery, but one thing is certain: St. Louis is determined to steer his team back on course, no matter the cost.

The defeat itself was a masterclass in missed opportunities and defensive lapses. The Kings seized control with a flurry of goals in the second period, leaving the Canadiens scrambling to catch up. Goaltender Samuel Montembeault bore the brunt of the pressure, but rather than pointing fingers, St. Louis stood firmly by his side, refusing to let one tough night define his player’s season. This act of leadership—publicly defending Montembeault when criticism was at its loudest—hinted at deeper currents running through the Canadiens’ locker room.

But the intrigue doesn’t end there. The ripple effects of St. Louis’ decisions are already being felt, particularly among players whose roles are suddenly in flux. Juraj Slafkovsky, once positioned on the coveted first line, found himself replaced by Ivan Demidov—a move that raises questions about the coach’s evaluation process and the internal competition brewing beneath the surface. How will Slafkovsky respond to this shakeup? What does it mean for the team’s chemistry, and who will rise to the challenge in the next game against the Dallas Stars?

For fans and analysts alike, the early morning practice is more than just a routine drill; it’s a signal that the Canadiens are at a crossroads. Will St. Louis’ tough love inspire a turnaround, or will the team’s struggles deepen as the season wears on? The answers are far from certain, but one thing is clear: the next chapter in Montreal’s season is about to be written, and every move—from the locker room to the ice—will be under the microscope.

Read on to uncover the full story behind St. Louis’ decisive response, the shifting dynamics within the Canadiens, and what lies ahead as the team prepares to face its next challenge.

Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis

Photo credit: Screenshot

We can say that the Montreal Canadiens did not have the night they were hoping for against the Los Angeles Kings, but Martin St. Louis wasted no time reacting this morning.

St. Louis has called his team to a practice at 11:30 a.m. in Brossard to set things straight.

After Tuesday night’s 5-1 loss at the Bell Centre, the atmosphere was very heavy in the Canadiens’ locker room.

The Kings took control quickly, scoring three goals in just over four minutes at the start of the second period, and after that, the Habs couldn’t do anything.

Goaltender Montembeault had a tough night, but Martin St. Louis made sure to defend him after the game.

“I’m not worried,” Martin St. Louis says when asked about Habs goalie Samuel Montembeault

A quick practice to fix things

This morning, according to Priyanta Emrith, the Canadiens players are expected in Brossard at 11:30 a.m. for a practice session.

“Habs will have an 11:30am practice today in Brossard.”

– Priyanta Emrith

I think this is a clear sign that Martin St. Louis wants to see a quick reaction from his players before the next game against the Dallas Stars on Thursday.

Especially from players like Juraj Slafkovsky, who was pulled off the first line by Martin St. Louis and replaced by Ivan Demidov.

The message is simple… no time to feel sorry for themselves, they have to bounce back right away.

After the game, St. Louis didn’t look for excuses. He admitted that his team had “fallen asleep at the wheel for three minutes,” and that short stretch completely changed the game.

The Kings pounced on every opportunity.

On their side, the Canadiens players struggled to keep up.

Josh Anderson, who scored the only goal of the night, said it bluntly:

“They played a more complete game than we did. They wanted it more.”

– Josh Anderson

Honestly, I think this morning practice is a very good idea.

In my opinion, when a team loses its momentum, sometimes the best reflex is to get back on the ice right away to regain the right feeling.

We’ll see in the coming days if St. Louis’ message gets through.