Bruins 3, Canadiens 2: A Night When the Power Play Told the Story

If you watched Montreal last night, you probably felt that familiar mix of hope and frustration. The Canadiens were right there. They pushed late, they had their looks, and they played at a pace to stay in it against a Boston team on a heater. But when you go 0-for-7 on the power play — with two extended 5-on-3s — you don’t leave yourself much margin for anything.

Montreal skated hard, created momentum at even strength, and got timely goals from Jake Evans and Cole Caufield. What they didn’t get was that one steadying moment, that one clean strike with the man-advantage to tilt the ice their way. And in a league this tight, nights like that come back to bite you.

The Canadiens Played Well Enough to Win, But Didn’t

From the Canadian angle, this wasn’t a team falling apart. It was a team pressing. You could see it in the entries, in the shot selection, in the way pucks were funneled rather than moved with conviction. The swagger isn’t there right now — Caufield said it plainly — and swagger is the currency of any good power play. Still, Montreal didn’t fold. They kept climbing back into the game, they clawed for chances with the goalie pulled, and they showed enough jam to suggest the foundation is fine. This is a confidence issue, not an identity issue. And those can turn quickly.

Three Key Points from the Canadiens’ Point of View

Key Point One: The Canadiens’ Power Play Was the Whole Story. Five games now without a power-play marker, 18 straight failed attempts, and two wasted 5-on-3s. Montreal didn’t lose because they lacked effort; they lost because special teams abandoned them.

Key Point Two: Caufield and Suzuki Are Fighting the Right Fight. The top duo of the Canadiens looked more like themselves at even strength. Caufield’s goal — driving the middle, finishing in stride — came from instinct, not hesitation. They need to bottle that version for the power play.

Key Point Three: Montembeault Gave Them a Chance in the Crease. The Bruins got three goals, but Sam Montembeault kept Montreal in striking range. None of the goals were soft; most came off defensive breakdowns or cross-seam passes that few goalies track cleanly.

Final Canadiens’ Game Comment

For a team suddenly on a three-game regulation slide, this loss doesn’t feel fatal. It feels like a team gripping the stick too tightly. Montreal played well enough to win but not calmly enough to finish. If Montreal’s swagger returns — even a little — so will the results.