*Mon Dieu*, what a punch to the gut. Brendan Gallagher, healthy scratched. For the *première fois* in 14 seasons. Against the Sharks, of all teams. And to add insult to injury, we lose 4-2, with Macklin Celebrini – yes, *that* Celebrini – potting two goals and an assist. This isn't just a hockey loss; this is a blow to the heart of Montreal.

Brendan Gallagher. He's not just a player; he's a symbol. He's bled for this team, thrown his body in front of shots, embodied the *esprit* of the Canadiens. To see him benched, healthy, while a wunderkind from San Jose lights us up… it’s a profound shift. It feels like an ending, a turning of a page we weren't ready to turn. The faithful are reeling. This one stings, deep down, where hockey and identity intertwine.