Canadiens' Goaltending Struggles Undermine Caufield's Hat Trick Effort
The Montreal Canadiens' ongoing goaltending challenges were once again exposed in a disappointing 4-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday night at TD Garden. Despite a spectacular three-goal performance from Cole Caufield, defensive lapses and inconsistent netminding proved costly for the visiting team.
Caufield's Offensive Brilliance Overshadowed by Defensive Lapses
Cole Caufield delivered an exceptional offensive display, scoring all three Canadiens goals including two on the power play. The young forward now has 29 goals in 52 games this season, putting him on pace for a remarkable 46-goal campaign. This performance is particularly significant as the Canadiens haven't had a 40-goal scorer since Vincent Damphouse achieved the feat in the 1993-94 season.
"This game happens quick," Caufield told reporters post-game. "These moments are huge and these are the moments you look back on and you hope it doesn't bite you in the ass because you have the lead going into the third against a pretty good team that's chasing us."
Montembeault's Recent Struggles in Net
Goaltender Samuel Montembeault's recent performances have raised concerns for the Canadiens. In Saturday's contest, he allowed four goals on 21 shots, including three power play goals. This follows a previous outing where he surrendered three goals on 16 shots against the Minnesota Wild. Over these two consecutive losses, Montembeault has posted a concerning .811 save percentage.
Montembeault's season statistics now stand at 9-8-2 with a 3.46 goals-against average and .869 save percentage. His career record against the Bruins has worsened to 3-8-1, highlighting particular difficulties against this Atlantic Division rival.
Team Defensive Issues Beyond Goaltending
While goaltending remains a primary concern, the Canadiens' defensive struggles extend beyond the crease. The team's penalty killing unit surrendered three power play goals to the Bruins, with forward Jake Evans acknowledging the unit's shortcomings.
"We just didn't execute plays, didn't get pucks in and the PK fell short tonight," Evans stated. "If you give up three PK goals you're probably going to lose the game. Missed clears, missed blocks, lost faceoffs. There's just a lot."
Playoff Implications and Roster Decisions
The loss has significant implications for the Canadiens' playoff positioning. They now sit fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 28-17-7 record, tied in points with Buffalo but having played one more game. Montreal currently holds the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, just one point ahead of the Bruins.
Coach Martin St. Louis' decision to start Montembeault for a second consecutive game has drawn attention, particularly given Jakub Dobes' strong recent form. Dobes has compiled a 5-0-1 record in his last six appearances and boasts a 15-5-3 season record with a 3.01 GAA and .887 save percentage.
Additional Game Developments
The game featured several notable moments beyond the scoring:
- Kirby Dach returned to action after missing two months with a fractured foot but left briefly in the first period with a bloodied right hand following a fight with Jonathan Aspirot
- Defenseman Alexandre Carrier returned to the lineup after missing two games with a lower-body injury
- Arber Xhekaj rejoined the defensive corps after being a healthy scratch for two previous games
- The Canadiens outshot the Bruins 25-21 overall and led 1-0 after the first period and 3-2 entering the third
Looking ahead, the Canadiens face the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday at the Bell Centre, where goaltending decisions will be closely watched as the team seeks to solidify their playoff position and address persistent defensive concerns.
