Former Montreal Canadiens forward Yvon Lambert, a four-time Stanley Cup champion who won four consecutive championships with the Canadiens from 1976 to 1979, says playoff hockey has once again wrapped itself around the city of Montreal — pulling in a new generation of fans and restoring the kind of atmosphere that once defined springtime in the hockey-mad market.
On sidewalks, in restaurants, and across crowded watch parties, Canadiens jerseys have returned as a familiar signal of postseason intensity. For Lambert, the scene carries both nostalgia and surprise at how quickly the energy has returned.
“It’s been a long time that we haven’t seen this,” Lambert said. “It’s so nice for the organization. They’ve been working so hard, especially the last two, three years.”
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Lambert credits the foundation of that resurgence to the organization’s leadership group and drafting approach, which he says has helped reset expectations and rebuild excitement around the team.
“It starts from the GM, the manager, the coaching staff,” he said. “They made some really good first picks, really good picks. And now the enthusiasm’s coming back.”
As playoff hockey has taken over Montreal once again, Lambert says the atmosphere extends far beyond the rink. He says the city feels fully engaged — and noticeably different from past eras.
“When you’re outside, you see so many. They’re not kids, but they’re 30 years old, 35 years old, 25 years old, boys and girls,” he said.
“In our days, we saw that. You know, it was shirt and tie and well-dressed women. So now it’s completely different. And it’s good for that generation. They’re having fun. They like to watch hockey.”
The Canadiens’ playoff journey has become a grind through the Eastern Conference. Montreal eliminated both Tampa Bay and Buffalo in seven-game series before falling behind 3–1 to Carolina in the Eastern Conference final, a run that has still captured the attention of the entire city.
He said Montreal has put on a great show this postseason, pointing to the team’s surprising series wins over Tampa Bay and Buffalo and calling it an exciting run for the next generation of hockey fans.
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For Lambert, the impact of the run is not just emotional — it is visible across the city and felt well beyond Montreal.
“It’s good. It’s really good. It’s good for the city of Montreal. It’s good for the province of Quebec. It’s good all over Canada,” he said.
“There’s people from all over. And it’s the people from PEI. I saw people from New Brunswick. There’s people from Ontario.”
He adds that the playoff surge has also translated into real-world momentum for local businesses, as restaurants, hotels, and downtown corridors fill with fans chasing the next game-night moment.
“It’s really good for businesses, restaurants, hotels, shopping centre,” Lambert said. “It’s unbelievable what it makes to the Montreal organization. And all the happiness that’s happening with that such a good hockey.”
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The Canadiens entered the playoffs with one of the youngest rosters in the NHL, and Lambert says the value of this run will be measured long after the final game is played.
“We have a younger team in the NHL right now,” he said. “So it’s going to give some really, really good experiences to all those kids.”
He pointed to several young players he believes are part of the team’s future core.
“Slafkovský is 22 years old. Demidov, 20 years old. Fowler, 21,” he said.
He added that the group’s growth over the next few years could define the organization moving forward.
“A lot of young kids that in the next two or three years, because we’re going to be content there for the next six, seven years.”
Lambert also expressed strong support for captain Nick Suzuki, highlighting his importance to the team’s direction.
“Suzuki, I adore him,” he said. “He’s doing a hell of a job.”
“I’m sure he must be a really good captain. He must be really good in the dressing room. So things are looking really, really optimistic.”
Looking at the roster more broadly, Lambert said he remains optimistic about the team’s future, particularly in goal, pointing to Jakub Dobeš and Jacob Fowler.
“I think in the net, we’re good for probably the next 10 years,” he said.
He also noted that young goaltenders continue to develop through experience and repetition at the NHL level.
“He looks really good,” Lambert said. “Dobeš, the only thing is going to have to stay a little more concentrated. Not to hit too much, not to respect against the other player. Let the defencemen and the forward take care of that. Because when he’s really concentrated, 100 per cent, he’s really, really tough to beat. Really tough to beat.”
Lambert said young defenceman Lane Hutson likes to carry the puck and is drawing more attention from opponents.
“He’s good. His size plays against him a little bit. But he always has his head up. And that’s why he’s such a good player,” he said.
“And everybody’s behind him. Because we need him and everybody, we know that we need him. And he knows that we’re going to try everything to protect him. So that’s what it’s all about, teamwork and good spirit.”
He also reflected on the emotional weight of playoff runs in Montreal, and how those moments stay with players long after their careers end.
“Well, it’s good memories because everybody is good. Everybody wants to talk to you. Everybody wants to take a picture with you,” he said.
“It’s a moment that you never forget. You’re never going to forget. Because when you were in a series like that, now the third round that reminds you, reminds me a lot of good memories. And it’s fun. And it’s fun for that young team, really good for them.”
Lambert said the Canadiens’ historic success continues to shape expectations around the franchise, especially during playoff runs.
“First of all, there’s such a long tradition here. Twenty-four Stanley Cups.”
He noted that success brings added pressure from opponents and fans alike.
“Now, because we start to win and playoffs, first round, second round, third round, the expectation are going to be a little more next year. Because when you win Cups or when you do play well in the Cups, everybody wants to beat you.”
Still, he believes the current leadership group is building a foundation that can sustain long-term competitiveness.
“You have to be ready every game, every game during the season. So it’s going to get harder and harder. But Martin St. Louis, the organization, they’re going to find ways to keep them together, a good team spirit in the dressing room. And let’s have fun. Go to work and have fun.”
