Canadiens Suffer Heartbreaking Overtime Defeat After Blowing Two-Goal Lead
The Montreal Canadiens experienced a dramatic collapse on Thursday night, surrendering a two-goal advantage to fall 4-3 in overtime against the New York Islanders at the Bell Centre. This marked Montreal's first game since February 4th, following the NHL's hiatus for the Milano Cortina Olympics.
Dobson's Emotional Return Ends in Mixed Results
Defenseman Noah Dobson, facing his former team for the first time since being traded from the Islanders last June, scored both of Montreal's opening goals. Despite his personal success, which extends his career-high point streak to six games, Dobson finished with a minus-2 rating as part of a defensive unit that struggled to protect the lead.
"It's unfortunate we didn't get the win," Dobson said post-game. "I felt like we didn't do a good job when we had the lead. We allowed them to get back in the game. We'd like to close that out."
Islanders' Rookie Phenom Sparks Comeback
The Islanders' comeback was ignited by 18-year-old rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who scored two goals in a remarkable 53-second span late in the second period. Schaefer, last year's first overall draft pick, now holds the record for most goals by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history with 18.
Captain Anders Lee sent the game to overtime with his third-period goal, marking his 900th career game. Jean-Gabriel Pageau then secured the victory for New York with the overtime winner, giving the Islanders their first win at the Bell Centre since April 2022.
Canadiens' Struggles Continue in Crucial Moments
Montreal's inability to protect leads has been a recurring theme this season. The Canadiens were just 1:41 away from securing their fifth win in six games before the collapse. Several factors contributed to the loss:
- Goaltender Samuel Montembeault posted a .846 save percentage, allowing goals on the 15th and 16th shots he faced
- The team managed only one shot through the first eight minutes of the second period
- Multiple defensive lapses and untimely penalties gave the Islanders opportunities to rally
Captain Nick Suzuki, who represented Team Canada at the Olympics, expressed frustration with the outcome: "I probably could have had a bunch of goals. It's just frustrating that one of those didn't go in. It probably could have changed the game for us."
Notable Performances Amid the Disappointment
Despite the loss, several Canadiens players delivered strong individual performances:
- Cole Caufield scored his team-leading 33rd goal of the season, extending his hot streak to 12 goals in his last 11 games
- Nick Suzuki led the team with six shots on goal
- Lane Hutson recorded an assist, bringing him to 59 points in 58 games
The game featured several controversial moments, including a disallowed Caufield goal that was ruled a kicking motion and an overturned Islanders goal due to an offside call. This marked the fifth consecutive meeting between these teams that has required overtime to determine a winner.
As the NHL season enters its final stretch, the Canadiens will need to address their late-game execution issues. With every point crucial in the playoff race, Thursday's collapse serves as a painful reminder of the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in professional hockey.
