Oliver Kapanen delivered the final blow in a tense contest on Saturday, using a precise wrist shot in the fifth round of a shootout to secure a victory for the Montreal Canadiens. Kapanen’s shootout goal pushes Montreal Canadiens to 4-3 win over Latest Jersey Devils, marking the eighth consecutive victory for a team currently playing its most inspired hockey in years.
The win is more than just a notch in the win column; it represents a significant historical benchmark for the franchise. With the victory, Montreal reached the 100-point milestone for the first time since the 2016-17 season, when the club finished with 103 points. The resurgence comes amid a streak of dominance that has transformed the Canadiens from a rebuilding squad into a formidable opponent in the Eastern Conference.
The game, played in Newark, New Jersey, was a tale of two halves. Montreal appeared to be in complete control for the majority of the evening, building a commanding lead before the Devils mounted a late, aggressive comeback that forced the game into a shootout.
Montréal Canadiens centre Oliver Kapanen reacts after scoring against New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen during a shootout in Newark, N.J., on Saturday.Noah K. Murray/The Associated Press
Early dominance and the youth movement
Montreal’s offense fired on all cylinders early, led by a mix of emerging talent and opportunistic plays. Jayden Struble opened the scoring late in the first period, netting his second goal of the season and the sixth of his professional career to give the Canadiens a 1-0 lead.
The momentum surged further in the second period. At 8:12, Ivan Demidov capitalized on a power-play opportunity to double the lead. Just 76 seconds later, Lane Hutson extended the advantage to 3-0 with an unassisted goal, leaving the Devils searching for answers in their own zone.
While the scoring was spread across the roster, the story of the night for many was Cole Caufield. The sniper recorded two assists, continuing his pursuit of a rare individual milestone. Caufield currently sits at 49 goals for the season, placing him on the doorstep of becoming the first Canadiens player to reach the 50-goal mark in over three decades.
New Jersey’s late-game surge
The New Jersey Devils refused to concede, initiating a comeback that nearly erased Montreal’s early lead. The rally began at 13:08 of the second period when Dawson Mercer scored, assisted by Timo Meier and Nico Hischier, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
The pressure intensified late in the second when Jack Hughes connected for his 25th goal of the season. The goal was particularly damaging as it was Hughes’ second career short-handed goal, scored while the Devils were killing off a double-minor penalty. Despite the momentum shift, the Devils’ penalty kill remained disciplined to close out the period.
The tension peaked in the third period. With only 2:15 remaining in regulation, Timo Meier found the back of the net to tie the game at 3-3, silencing the Montreal momentum and sending the contest toward overtime and eventually the shootout.
Game Statistics Breakdown
| Category | Montreal Canadiens | New Jersey Devils |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 4 (Shootout) | 3 |
| Saves | 35 (Jakub Dobes) | 26 (Jake Allen) |
| Power Play Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Short-handed Goals | 0 | 1 |
The shootout and the 100-point mark
After a scoreless overtime period, the game moved to a shootout. Goaltender Jake Allen, who had stopped 26 shots during regulation, stood firm through four rounds. Yet, in the fifth round, Oliver Kapanen found a gap with a wrist shot that beat Allen, sealing the 4-3 victory.
For Montreal, the result solidifies a season of unexpected growth. Reaching 100 points is a psychological and statistical threshold that signals the team’s return to competitiveness. Jakub Dobes played a pivotal role in maintaining that trajectory, recording 35 saves to keep the Devils at bay during their most aggressive stretches.
The impact of this win extends beyond the standings. By securing an eighth straight victory, the Canadiens have established a level of consistency that has been absent from the Bell Centre for several seasons. The integration of players like Hutson and Demidov into key scoring roles suggests a sustainable shift in the team’s offensive identity.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again on Sunday in a rematch hosted in Montreal. All eyes will be on Cole Caufield, who will have another opportunity to chase his 50th goal of the season and cement his place in the franchise’s history books.
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