English
The Montreal Canadiens extended their winning streak to five games on Monday, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 in a high-scoring home contest at the Bell Centre. The victory followed a perfect four-game road trip, giving Montreal eight straight points heading into the homestand.
Canadiens Offense Fires Early
Montreal came out sharp and scored quickly. Florian Xhekaj pushed the puck to Owen Beck, who found Oliver Kapanen for a one-timer — Kapanen’s first goal of the season. Just 24 seconds later, Josh Anderson wired a shot into the top corner for his first of two goals on the night. Anderson’s second came when a Lane Hutson point shot deflected in off him.
Stay connected to every major update — subscribe and follow us on the PhoenixQ website and across our social media platforms.
The Canadiens kept the pressure on in the second period. Lane Hutson controlled the ice beautifully and delivered a spinerama pass to Alexandre Texier for the third goal. Twenty-seven seconds later, Chris Kreider stood alone in front of the net, had his first attempt stopped, and calmly converted the rebound. Montreal had four goals before the midpoint of the game.
The fourth line also impressed, despite playing without an ill Kirby Dach. Florian Xhekaj held his ground in front of the net, Beck delivered a punishing hit on a defenseman, and Kapanen applied consistent pressure. Together, they gave Pittsburgh’s defense a difficult evening.
Defensive Lapses at Home
However, the Canadiens also showed a familiar weakness. At home, they play a far more reckless brand of hockey than they do on the road. During their road trip, they limited two-on-one rushes, respected the blue line, and played disciplined defense. Back at the Bell Centre, those habits largely disappeared.
Arber Xhekaj’s giveaway directly led to Pittsburgh’s third goal. Alexandre Carrier also made a poorly timed pinch in the first period. The team’s home record continues to lag behind their road performance — a pattern that mirrors last season.
Goaltender Jacob Fowler, currently the league’s top netminder, allowed four goals on 29 shots. His save percentage dipped from .942 to .932. Despite that, his Goals Saved Above Expected rose to a league-leading 10.2.
The line of Alex Newhook, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky struggled against Sidney Crosby’s line, finishing with an Expected Goals share of just 20 percent. Meanwhile, Nick Suzuki is reportedly close to returning from injury.
Hughes Unlikely to Pursue Kucherov
Off the ice, reports suggest that Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov is seeking a six-year contract at $20 million per season. Kucherov, 33, has reportedly requested a trade after talks with Tampa Bay broke down. The Canadiens reportedly appear on his list of preferred destinations.
Nevertheless, Montreal general manager Kent Hughes is unlikely to pursue the deal. Hughes has consistently shown he values contracts based on future performance, not past accomplishments. He inherited costly long-term deals for Shea Weber, Carey Price, and Brendan Gallagher and worked to move past them. Adding another aging star to a massive long-term contract would contradict everything his tenure has stood for. For Canadiens fans, that disciplined approach is worth appreciating.
