Jan 24, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Mark Kastelic (47) reacts after a goal by center Fraser Minten (93) (not pictured) during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
The Montreal Canadiens held a third period lead against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night, but were unable to hold on. Two goals in 12 seconds proved to be the difference as they left Boston without a point, and squandered a chance to put some distance between them and the teams around them for the fourth straight game.
There will always be games where you deserve a better fate, but what hurts in this specific instance is the fact it is the fourth straight loss to teams closest to them in the standings in a very tight Atlantic Division. What also hurts is the way in which they lost the game.
Cole Caufield was brilliant with a hat trick, and I am not so quick to put all the blame on Samuel Montembeault. Should he have had the third goal? Absolutely. The fourth just seconds later hurt because of the timing. I thought Montembeault was pretty good throughout the game, but those two goals back-to-back don’t look great on him.
I also think the Canadiens think that they should not lose games based on goaltending. I think if you ask most players in the room, they will say they should have just won 5-4 instead.
The important thing in the grand scheme of things isn’t Saturday’s result but how they respond. The schedule doesn’t get any easier going forward. Home games against Vegas and Colorado, followed by what very well may be a must-win game against Buffalo followed by a quick road trip to Minnesota and Winnipeg before the Olympic break.
Listen to the full episode below, or wherever you get your podcasts… and don’t worry, Matt will be back next game.