Canadiens Analysis: Matheson And Dobson Top Pairing Struggles

Marc Dumont writes that the Montreal Canadiens' top defensive pairing of Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson is struggling with underlying 5v5 metrics early in the 2026-27 season. Despite facing tough competition, the duo continues to show concerning numbers regarding high-danger scoring chances and shot control.

While head coach Martin St-Louis benefits from a productive second pairing featuring Lane Hutson and Alexandre Carrier, other pairings have faltered. Dumont suggests that reuniting Hutson with Dobson could resolve top-pairing issues, noting their strong underlying statistics when playing together during the previous season.