Montreal Stuns Nashville with Caufield’s OT Heroics
The Montreal Canadiens pulled off a thrilling overtime win against the Nashville Predators, capped by Cole Caufield’s second straight overtime goal and his fifth tally in three games. The late dramatics kept the Bell Centre crowd on its feet as Montreal slugged through a back-and-forth battle with a 5-4 final after overtime.
Key moments that shaped a wild game
From the outset, the Predators showed they were game for a high-tempo affair. Steven Stamkos and Nick Perbix provided Nashville’s scoring rhythm, while Juuse Saros stymied Montreal’s shooters with 27 saves. Stamkos opened the goal floodgates with a power-play marker at 11:36 of the second period, a goal that appeared to skate around a deflection as the puck danced past Jakub Dobes. The tally briefly shifted momentum into Nashville’s favor, signaling a game that would intensify as it wore on.
Montreal responded with a steady push, finally knotting the game at 2-2 with under a minute remaining in the third period. Lane Hutson sparked the equalizer by winning a crucial race at the right side of the ice and threading a long pass to Caufield, who snapped a left-handed shot past Saros after a perfect setup. The play came moments after Hutson had just denied an empty-net bid from Jonathan Marchessault, underscoring Hutson’s two-way impact in a pivotal late-stage sequence.
Hutson’s versatile contribution
Lane Hutson was a driving force in Montreal’s win, finishing with two assists and contributing on a sequence that set up the dramatic finish. His playmaking, coupled with Dobes’ 17 saves, kept the Canadiens in the game long enough for Caufield to deliver the decisive moment. Hutson’s growth as a distributor on the blue line helped Montreal counter Nashville’s forecheck and generate sustained pressure in the third period.
The Caufield magic: back-to-back OT winners
For Caufield, the night reinforced a memorable trend: overtimresilience has become a defining feature of his game. He opened the night with a biop for the record books, scoring the decisive goal in a early-season overtime win against Seattle, and then closed the curtain on Nashville with another one-timer from the high slot area. The setup stemmed from a backhand pass from Nick Suzuki, who used a patient play to move the puck into a position where Caufield could deliver the finishing blow from between the circles.
Stat recap and the road ahead
Oliver Kapanen also found the back of the net, providing Montreal with critical offense along with Hutson’s two assists. Jakub Dobes earned the win with 17 saves, helping Montreal improve to 4-1-0 and extend its winning streak to four games. Nashville, now at 2-1-2, suffered consecutive losses for the first time this season, despite Stamkos’ power-play opener and Perbix’s late period strike.
What this game means for the Canadiens
Montreal’s victory showcased a blend of late-game resilience and timely scoring, elements that could define the team’s identity as the season progresses. Caufield’s ability to deliver in overtime offers a confidence boost for the lineup, while Hutson’s dual-impact play demonstrates how the young core is developing alongside veteran performances. If the Canadiens can sustain this level of execution, the rest of their schedule may present similar opportunities to convert tight games into valuable wins.
Bottom line
In a contest packed with lead changes and clutch moments, Montreal’s late-game push and Caufield’s second OT winner in as many games sealed a memorable 5-4 triumph over the Predators. The victory extends Montreal’s win streak and keeps the Canadiens in the early-season conversation as a dangerous club that can tilt a game in its favor with a single, precise play.
