Alex Newhook Drives 5 Goals for Canadiens De Montréal Direct
Alex Newhook leads the Canadiens de Montréal direct with five playoff goals and six points, and he is doing it in more than one role. Martin St-Louis has him on the penalty kill and the second power-play unit, a sign his game has grown beyond finishing chances.
Newhook’s playoff scoring
Five goals put Newhook first on the Canadiens in playoff scoring. His six points rank second on the club, behind Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson, who each have nine.
He has also posted a plus-3 differential and is playing a little more than 16 minutes per game. That usage shows the staff is trusting him in tight games, not just on offensive shifts.
St-Louis on pace and intention
St-Louis said Newhook has been playing with much more intention. The coach also said he has been working with him on how to use his speed, and on how to slow down at the right moments.
“Il joue avec beaucoup plus d’intention. Il a beaucoup de patin, mais des fois, il faut ralentir. Le gars qui patine vite, on dit qu’il travaille fort, mais ce n’est pas toujours à son tour de patiner, des fois il faut qu’il ralentisse pour rester en position où on a besoin qu’il reste, que ce soit défensivement ou offensivement. Ses intentions l’aident beaucoup plus à faire partie du jeu, des deux côtés de la glace. Quand tu joues comme ça, habituellement tu vas plus toucher à la rondelle et quand tu y touches plus, habituellement ta confiance monte. Quand ta confiance monte, tu vas produire plus. C’est un effet domino qui part de ses intentions sur la glace.”
Newhook said that conversation has been part of his development since he arrived from Colorado in the summer of 2023. He added that St-Louis’ teaching is direct and centered on intention, which has helped him.
Dach, Guhle and Carrier
Kirby Dach said Newhook finds ways to score big goals and can play against the opponent’s best lines. Kaiden Guhle pointed to the forecheck, saying Newhook works very hard there and uses his speed well.
Guhle also said his goals usually come near the net and are not often pretty. Alexandre Carrier called him the only player on the team who has won a Stanley Cup and said he has elevated his game since the beginning of the playoffs.
That resume traces back to 2022, when Newhook won the Stanley Cup with Colorado. For Montréal, the immediate payoff is a forward who is producing, killing penalties and handling tougher minutes while the playoffs demand more from every line.
