Pitlick had three shots on net over 14:50 of ice time in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Stars.

EDGE Analysis

Pitlick filled in on the fourth line in place of rookie Juraj Slafkovsky, who sat out with an upper-body injury. He had been a healthy scratch the previous three games after being active for the season's first two contests. Pitlick has zero points, three shots on net, one blocked shot and two PIM while averaging 13:03 TOI.

Pitlick had a goal and an assist along with one shot, two PIM and a plus-2 rating over 15:39 of ice time in Saturday's 5-4 preseason overtime loss to Ottawa.

EDGE Analysis

Pitlick set up Jake Evans at the end of a 2-on-0 break for Montreal's first goal, then netted his first marker of the preseason in the second period on a shot from the right faceoff circle. He was a nice pickup for Montreal last season and given a healthy dose of ice time. That may not be the case in 2022-23 after a busy offseason which included multiple forward acquisitions in addition to Jonathan Drouin's return from wrist surgery.

Pitlick signed a two-year, $2.2 million contract with the Canadiens on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Pitlick drew into 66 games split between the Wild and the Canadiens last season, picking up 15 goals and 37 points over that span. Pitlick may have to settle for a diminished role in 2022-23 due to Montreal's offseason acquisitions at forward, which would obviously have a negative impact on his rate of production.

Pitlick was not extended a qualifying offer by the Canadiens on Monday, Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

As such, the 25-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent when the market opens Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Pitlick broke out last season to the tune of 37 points in 66 games split between Minnesota and Montreal, so he could attract quite a bit of interest as a cap-friendly, middle-six option for a team in need of secondary scoring.

Pitlick scored twice in a 6-4 loss to Ottawa on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Pitlick scored late in the first after taking a centering pass and going blocker side on Anton Forsberg. It made the score 1-1. He then scored the Habs' last goal on a rebound out in front at 8:19 of the third. The goals were Pitlick's first in 13 games.

Pitlick had an assist and one hit over 16:38 of ice time in Thursday's 7-4 win over New Jersey.

EDGE Analysis

Pitlick, who recently joined the top line, combined with his new linemates on Montreal's first goal. Cole Caufield entered the zone, passed to Pitlick, who set up trailer Nick Suzuki for a tally early in the first period. It was the second point (both assists) in the three games for the 25-year-old Pitlick while on the first line.

Pitlick had an assist and two shots on net over 22:20 of ice time in Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Canadiens interim head coach Martin St. Louis has been auditioning a carousel of forwards lately to skate with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the top line. It was Pitlick's turn Saturday, and he and Caufield played give-and-go on a 2-on-0 rush for Montreal's first goal. Pitlick has thrived with the Canadiens and has 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) over 24 games with St. Louis behind the bench. While Pitlick's defense is a concern, per Andrew Berkshire of the Montreal Gazette, there's no doubting his offensive zone instincts. Whether or not there's a long-term future in Montreal for the player who was claimed off waivers in January will play out over the offseason, but Pitlick is getting a great opportunity to showcase himself on the team with the third-worst record in the NHL.

Pitlick netted a goal and blocked two shots in Sunday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Devils.

EDGE Analysis

Pitlick tallied with 42 seconds left in regulation to get the Canadiens into overtime. The 24-year-old snapped a three-game point drought with the goal -- that's his longest dry spell as a Hab. The 24-year-old has reached the 30-point mark with 13 goals, 17 assists, 45 shots on net and an even plus-minus rating in 50 appearances between Montreal and Minnesota this year.

Pitlick had a power-play assist, one hit and two penalty minutes in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Senators.

EDGE Analysis

Pitlick was the secondary helper on Joel Armia's tip-in of a Corey Schueneman blast late in the second period. It was the first man-advantage point of the season for Pitlick, who has gradually become a key piece and top-six forward since the Canadiens claimed him off waivers from Minnesota in January. He has 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in the 17 games under the rule of interim head coach Martin St. Louis.

Pitlick scored a shorthanded goal and added an assist in Sunday's 4-3 overtime win over the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

The production on its own is nice, but it was the timing of Pitlick's contributions that made this a night to remember for the 24-year-old forward. He potted the game-tying shorthanded goal with just 43 seconds remaining in regulation, then picked up the sole assist on Cole Caufield's overtime winner. Pitlick has two goals and four assists in his last three games.