Oliver Kapanen’s shootout goal lifted the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils, securing their eighth consecutive win and the franchise’s first 100-point season since 2016-17, as Cole Caufield stands on the brink of a historic 50-goal milestone.
The Montreal Canadiens are suddenly a powerhouse, and Oliver Kapanen’s clutch performance in the shootout capped a stunning 4-3 comeback win over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night [AP NHL]. This victory marks Montreal’s eighth straight win, a streak that has transformed their season from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender.
Kapanen’s wrist shot past Devils goaltender Jake Allen in the fifth round of the shootout was the decisive moment, but the win carries far greater significance. With this victory, the Canadiens have reached 100 points for the first time since the 2016-17 season, when they accumulated 103 points [AP NHL]. This milestone underscores a dramatic turnaround for a team that was below .500 just months ago.
While Kapanen provided the final spark, the game was a showcase of emerging talent and veteran resilience. Ivan Demidov, Lane Hutson, and Jayden Struble scored for Montreal, with Jakub Dobes making 35 saves in net. For New Jersey, Timo Meier, Jack Hughes, and Dawson Mercer found the back of the net, and Jake Allen stopped 26 shots [AP NHL].
Cole Caufield, the Canadiens’ offensive catalyst, picked up two assists but remained stuck at 49 goals, one shy of becoming the first Montreal player to score 50 in a season since the 1992-93 campaign [AP NHL]. His quest for history will continue in Sunday’s rematch in Montreal, a game now charged with even higher stakes given the team’s momentum.
The game’s narrative arc was dramatic: Montreal jumped to a 3-0 lead early, only for the Devils to mount a furious rally. Jack Hughes’ shorthanded goal—his 25th of the season and second career shorthanded tally—cut the lead to 3-2 late in the second period [AP NHL]. Dawson Mercer then scored at 13:08 of the second to make it 3-1, and Timo Meier tied the game with just 2:15 to play, capitalizing on a late surge that saw New Jersey kill off a double-minor penalty to close the period [AP NHL].
This win is more than just a number; it’s a statement. The Canadiens’ ability to withstand the Devils’ comeback and prevail in the shootout highlights a newfound mental toughness. For a franchise with a storied history, reaching 100 points signals a return to relevance after years of rebuilding. The eight-game winning streak is their longest since 2017, injecting belief into the locker room and among fans who have endured lean seasons [AP NHL].
Cole Caufield’s 50-goal chase adds a layer of individual drama. If he achieves it, he’ll join an elite group of Canadiens scorers, a feat last accomplished by Vincent Damphousse over three decades ago. This pursuit has become a rallying point for the fanbase, with every game now a must-watch as Caufield hunts for that milestone [AP NHL].
Looking ahead, Sunday’s rematch in Montreal is pivotal. The Devils, despite the loss, remain a formidable opponent, and the Canadiens will look to extend their streak and give Caufield another chance at history. The pressure is mounting, but so is the excitement—this Canadiens team is playing with a confidence that could define their playoff push.
For fans following this surge, the story is evolving rapidly. From Kapanen’s unexpected shootout heroics to Caufield’s milestone chase, every game brings new twists. The Canadiens’ transformation from underachievers to a 100-point team in a matter of weeks is one of the season’s most compelling narratives, and it’s unfolding in real time [AP NHL].
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