Blues 4, Canadiens 3: Missed Moments Sink Habs
You could feel it early at Bell Centre that Montreal had the legs for this one. A 4–3 loss always reads tight on the page, but it felt like a night where the Canadiens had the Blues wobbling, especially after that strong first period. Cole Caufield’s goal — the one that extended his point streak — woke the place up. And when the Canadiens went into the first intermission up 2–1, you figured they had the rhythm they wanted.
But as has happened a few times this season, the second period turned the whole thing upside down. Two St. Louis goals in 39 seconds — Dylan Holloway and then Pavel Buchnevich — knocked the air out of Montreal. Suddenly, it was chase mode the rest of the way. Brayden Schenn’s second of the night in the third made the mountain steeper, and although Noah Dobson’s late goal gave the crowd a jolt, Jordan Binnington slammed the door at the buzzer.
This one felt like a story of almosts, especially from the Canadiens' side.
Key Point One: Canadiens Come Out Strong, But Lose Momentum
Montreal carried the first period, plain and simple. Lane Hutson jumped up at the perfect time for his goal, and Cole Caufield looked dangerous every shift. But that early energy didn’t carry over, and once St. Louis pounced to start the second, Montreal never really steadied the wheel.
Key Point Two: Jake Dobes Battled Through a Back-to-Back
Jakub Dobes was back in the crease for the second time in two nights, and he held together better than most young goalies would in that spot. One bad read on the third goal, but he competed. This wasn’t a collapse — just a tough assignment and a rough start to the second.
Key Point Three: The Canadiens’ Defensive Breakdowns Bite Again
Mike Matheson said it bluntly afterward — two breakdowns, two goals, that’s the game. Montreal’s young blue line has nights where it looks poised, and nights where you can see the learning curve. Tonight leaned toward the latter.
Final Thoughts from the Canadiens’ Perspective
There’s no shame in losing to a veteran group that knows how to close out leads, but Montreal will look at this one as an opportunity lost. The first period should’ve set a tone; instead, the early second period swung it back the other way.
The bright spots? Lane Hutson’s confidence, Cole Caufield’s consistency, Noah Dobson stepping up late, and Jakub Dobes grinding through a tough back-to-back. Those are meaningful signs for a young group.
But the larger lesson is the same one they keep bumping into: this team cannot string together full sixty-minute efforts yet. When they do, these close ones stop slipping away.