The Montreal Canadiens rallied from a first-period deficit to defeat the Nashville Predators 2-1 on Sunday night. Goals from Cole Caufield and Patrik Laine in the second period fueled the comeback, pushing the Canadiens to their fifth straight victory after enduring a five-game losing streak. Nashville, meanwhile, continued its downward spiral with a sixth consecutive loss and seven defeats in its last eight games.
Dobes Shines with 36 Saves as Canadiens Overcome Early Deficit to Beat Predators
Jakub Dobes was instrumental in Montreal’s win, making 36 saves and weathering Nashville’s offensive push, particularly during the power plays. Despite being outshot 37-17, the Canadiens held firm, with Dobes delivering a composed performance in net. The Predators had four opportunities on the power play but were unable to capitalize, continuing a troubling trend of missed chances.
Dobes Delivers as Canadiens Rally Past Predators for Fifth Straight WinNashville struck first early in the game, with Steven Stamkos netting his 25th goal of the season off a Filip Forsberg assist just over four minutes into the opening period. However, Montreal responded quickly in the second, with Caufield scoring his 36th of the season off a setup by Nick Suzuki. Laine followed shortly after with his 20th of the year, flipping the momentum and giving the Canadiens a lead they would hold for the remainder of the game.
Wood Debuts, Hutson Ties Record in Canadiens’ Crucial Win Over Struggling Predators
Sunday’s game also featured the NHL debut of Nashville winger Matthew Wood, the 15th overall pick in the 2023 draft. Wood played just over 13 minutes and recorded one shot on goal. On Montreal’s side, Lane Hutson’s assist on Laine’s goal gave him 58 assists and 64 total points on the season, tying a franchise record for points by a rookie defenseman previously held by Chris Chelios.
The win bolstered Montreal’s hold on the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with a five-point cushion over the chasing Rangers and Red Wings. The Canadiens are now within striking distance of Ottawa.
Nashville, on the other hand, continues to struggle as goaltender Juuse Saros suffered his third consecutive loss. Despite dominating the shot count and second-period possession, the Predators’ inability to convert on their chances remains a key issue in their slump.
