Canadiens 4, Golden Knights 1: Habs' Calm, Patient,

The Montreal Canadiens walked into Las Vegas looking like a team that had figured something out over the past week. They didn’t race around trying to match the Golden Knights shift for shift. Instead, they played a steady, disciplined game—almost quiet in its efficiency. From the start, you could sense Montreal’s comfort level: short shifts, smart puck touches, and no panic even as Vegas pushed early.

Montembeault Stood Out for the Canadiens

What really set the tone was Sam Montembeault’s presence. Sometimes a goalie looks dialed in before the puck drops, and he said it himself. His warmup felt like the best of his season. That confidence carried over. Once Zack Bolduc opened the scoring late in the first, the Canadiens’ game seemed to smooth out. By the time Cole Caufield roofed that sharp-angle shot early in the second, Montreal looked fully in control.

Key Point One: The Habs’ Sam Montembeault Steals the Stage

Sam Montembeault didn’t just make 30 saves—he looked entirely settled, especially on second-chance looks. On a back-to-back, that kind of backbone matters. His early stops gave his team’s skaters time to find their rhythm, and that was the foundation of the whole night.

Key Point Two: Montreal’s Young Core Drives the Offense

Zack Bolduc and Juraj Slafkovsky dictated the game’s momentum. Bolduc’s finish on the delayed penalty was pure composure, and Slafkovsky’s playmaking showed growing confidence. With Cole Caufield doing Cole Caufield things, Montreal’s young players carried the attack.

Key Point Three: A Breakaway That Broke Vegas’ Push

Jake Evans’ third-period breakaway was the quiet dagger. Vegas had been pressing, looking for a spark. Instead, Evans slipped behind coverage and made it 3–0. That goal let the Canadiens roll the bench, conserve energy, and keep the game structured.

Final Thoughts from the Canadiens’ Perspective

For a team on the second half of a back-to-back, this was a mature performance. The Canadiens didn’t overextend themselves, and they didn’t feed the Golden Knights’ rush game. Instead, they trusted their structure and their goalie. The tipping point was that they finished the chances they created.

Mike Matheson’s assist on Evans’ goal came on the same day he signed his long-term extension. Both the assist and the contract were reminders of how central he is to this group. And Caufield’s game-winner adds another milestone to his growing list before age 25.

More than anything, Montreal looked like a team that understands who it is right now: patient, opportunistic, and comfortable grinding out wins against tough opponents. If they bottle this identity, this streak might have some legs. A week ago, the team was a bit shaky. Not so much after this win.