And we thought officiating in the CFL was bad.
We’re not sure what game referees Garrett Rank and Chris Schlenker were watching Thursday night at Rogers Place, but there were numerous questionable and missed calls as the Edmonton Oilers came from behind to edge the Canadiens 6-5.
Montreal appeared well in control early in the third, leading 5-3 after scoring its fourth consecutive goal. The Canadiens killed off a debatable boarding infraction against Juraj Slafkovsky, but Mike Matheson was called for tripping Connor McDavid, leading to the Oilers’ fourth goal. Josh Anderson received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following the score, leading to the tying goal.
Vasily Podkolzin scored the winning goal with 69 seconds remaining in regulation time. At least that one was scored at even-strength.
The Oilers had five power plays in the game, while the Canadiens had one.
TSN commentator Craig Button, a former general manager with the Calgary Flames, severely criticized the officials’ work — and should be commended for being outspoken.
The Canadiens had every reason to be furious. Post-game, Brendan Gallagher said the officials admitted they made a mistake on Slafkovsky’s penalty. Gallagher believes the call against Anderson was retribution because the arbiters believed Anderson was mocking them and said something.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch: You know the tongues will be wagging in Montreal on Friday morning over the competency of Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault with his critics saying he shouldn’t be playing. Montembeault made some fine saves. With Montreal trailing 3-1 in the second period, he stopped a streaking Jack Roslovic, who was in alone from the right side. A goal at that point might have buried the visitors. One of the goals that beat Montembeault deflected off Alex Newhook’s skate. Another came on a deflection.
However, the numbers don’t lie. Montembeault allowed six goals on 29 shots. His save percentage was .793 and he now has lost three of his five starts. Montembeault’s save percentage through five games is .842. Jakub Dobes is undefeated in four games and almost certainly will start Saturday night at Vancouver. At this time, Dobes provides the Canadiens with a better option of winning.
Canadiens’ Mike Matheson (8) skates against Oilers’ Isaac Howard at Rogers Place on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Edmonton.
Where’s the D?: While a goaltender is required to make important stops at critical times, he also needs some assistance from his defencemen. They weren’t good on this night. They weren’t physical enough, squandered some assignments and did too much standing around. Matheson looked weak on the winning goal.
The casting call continues: With Zach Hyman injured, the Oilers have auditioned a cast of thousands to play on the top line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The latest is 21-year-old Matt Savoie, who was acquired from Buffalo in July. He’s the fifth different player to be utilized in that role — and Edmonton has played only eight games.
The Bermuda Triangle: The Canadiens haven’t won in Edmonton since March 2022, and the Oilers have won four of their last five against the Canadiens.
News you need (Part I): With one assist, Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki has an eight-game point streak. On the other hand, with a 1-11 stats line — goals and assists — he won’t be winning the Cy Young award.
News you need (Part II): It took nine games, but Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis finally had Russian superstar rookie Ivan Demidov on the first power-play unit.
Great moments in officiating: Yes, there were more. In the game’s 17th minute, Darnell Nurse cross-checked Lane Hutson. No penalty was assessed. Seconds later, Edmonton scored its first goal.
News you need (Part III): Oilers winger David Tomasek, at age 29, not only scored his first NHL goal, but also is a rookie.
Strange, but true (Part I): While McDavid had three assists against the Canadiens and now has 11 points this season, he has scored only once.
News you need (Part IV): The Canadiens now have a 4-2 record when scoring the first goal. It should have been 5-1.
Game of inches: In the 14th minute of the second period, Jake Evans couldn’t convert his breakaway, hitting the post.
Off the schneid: It took nine games, but Anderson finally scored a goal. And he couldn’t have done it without some impressive forechecking by Gallagher.
Pass of the night (Part I): Noah Dobson to Cole Caufield on the Canadiens’ third goal.
Speed kills: The fast-skating Canadiens scored three second-period goals in 1:52, overcoming a 3-1 deficit.
Sieve of the night: Edmonton goalie Calvin Pickard was beaten on the 18th, 19th, 21st and 22nd shots he faced.
Strange but true (Part II): Caufield produced his 18th career two-goal game against Edmonton. But he has only one three-goal game. He leads the Canadiens with seven goals in nine games.
Pass of the night (Part II): Oliver Kapanen to Newhook on Montreal’s fifth goal.
Quick stats: Suzuki had six shots — one more than Caufield. Kirby Dach, who returned after missing three games with a lower-body injury, and Joe Veleno each were minus-2. Dobson played 25:16 and blocked three shots. Matheson played 25:11. The Canadiens won only 36.8 per cent of their faceoffs. Each team had 15 hits.
They said it: “Among coaches, we always do video analysis to improve,” St. Louis told the media in Edmonton. “I hope the league will follow the same process.”
St. Louis said he received no explanation for Anderson’s penalty.
“I’m still trying to figure that out,” Caufield told journalists in Edmonton. “The refs kind of took over the game there, and kudos to them for winning it.”
“We could have handled our emotions better. We’ll talk about that,” Gallagher admitted to reporters in Edmonton. “They (the Oilers) have some high-end talent. They don’t need the help.”
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