Canadiens 4, Blackhawks 1: Habs Rewarded for Hard Work
Finally, the Montreal Canadiens’ patience paid off. They didn’t panic after falling behind early, didn’t get rattled by whistles or video reviews, and didn’t lose their shape when the game threatened to drift. They stayed with it, and by the third period, the ice tilted their way for good.
Frank Nazar opened the scoring for Chicago, but the Canadiens slowly pulled the game back into their hands. Zachary Bolduc scored the equalizer late in the first, and from there the night became a test of structure, discipline, and emotional control. Three overturned goals could have turned the game the other way. Instead, Montreal kept playing.
By the time Nick Suzuki slid the empty-netter home, this one felt settled—not flashy, but earned.
Key Point One: Zachary Bolduc Breaks Through
Zachary Bolduc has been circling this moment for weeks, and it finally arrived at home. His first goal tied the game, and his second—twenty seconds into the third—gave Montreal a lead they never gave back. There was nothing accidental about either one; Bolduc went to the hard areas and got rewarded.
Key Point Two: Lane Hutson Drives the Game for the Canadiens
Lane Hutson didn’t score, but he controlled long stretches of the night. Three assists tell part of the story, but his puck movement and poise under pressure were the real difference. When the Canadiens needed some calmness after reviews and stoppages, Hutson delivered it.
Key Point Three: Jakub Dobes Keeps the Floor Solid
Jakub Dobes only faced 14 shots, but that doesn’t mean the job was easy. He made the saves he had to make, stayed sharp through long lulls, and let the game come to him. His 12th win ties him atop the rookie goalie leaderboard, and that’s something that will be noticed in this city.
Final Thoughts from the Canadiens’ Perspective
The Canadiens absorbed an early goal, shrugged off overturned calls, and didn’t let frustration affect their play. That’s progress, especially for a young team still learning when to push and when to breathe.
Nick Suzuki finished with a goal and an assist, Ivan Demidov helped create the third goal, and the blue line stayed composed despite the chaos around the whistles. These are the kinds of wins that don’t make headlines but quietly build belief.
Montreal won because it stayed with the game. If they keep doing that, nights like this won’t feel like exceptions—they’ll feel like the standard.