LAS VEGAS — The Montreal Canadiens snapped out of a recent slump with a decisive 4-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena, marking their third consecutive win and providing a much-needed boost under head coach Martin St. Louis.
The win comes after a frustrating five-game skid (0-4-1) that had tested the team's resilience earlier in the season. St. Louis, who took over as head coach and has been instrumental in steadying the ship, guided the Canadiens to this convincing performance against a formidable Vegas squad. The game, which wrapped up in a brisk 2:27, showcased Montreal's improved defensive play and opportunistic offense on the road.
Goaltender Samuel Montembeault was the standout performer, stopping 30 of 31 shots for a .968 save percentage. He denied Colton Sissons on the game's first shot just 10 seconds in and followed with 26 more saves before Vegas captain Mark Stone finally beat him at 15:16 of the third period. According to reports from the Montreal Gazette, Montembeault earned his first win since November 8 against Utah and his first road victory since October 11 at Chicago. This marks only his second win of the season overall, and he could be in line for another start when the Canadiens host the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre, a team he has already defeated this year.
Montreal's offense clicked early and often. The scoring opened with a highlight-reel pass from Juraj Slafkovsky to Zachary Bolduc for the first goal. Slafkovsky, positioned along the boards, threaded a cross-ice pass that evaded four Vegas defenders to find an unguarded Bolduc in front. Bolduc, a rookie, has now scored all six of his goals this season on the road, a stat that underscores Montreal's stronger performance away from home.
Cole Caufield added to the lead early in the second period with a sniper's goal from a sharp angle near the end line, roofing a shot over Vegas goalie Akira Schmid's right shoulder. Caufield, who has been generating breakaways lately, later rang a shot off the crossbar during another solo rush in the 15th minute of the middle frame. His tally highlighted Montreal's ability to capitalize on unlikely opportunities against a Golden Knights team missing starting goalie Adin Hill, sidelined since October 20 with a lower-body injury.
Schmid, who entered the game with a 2.47 goals-against average and .900 save percentage, struggled in net for Vegas. He allowed goals on the third and seventh shots he faced, finishing with just 18 saves on 24 shots for an .833 save percentage. The Golden Knights' defense couldn't contain Montreal's speed, particularly in transition plays that led to breakaways.
Jake Evans redeemed an earlier denial on a breakaway by scoring on another one fewer than four minutes into the third period, extending the lead to 3-0. Evans, who finished with three shots, had been stopped late in the second but showed persistence. Slafkovsky sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, though the play drew attention for Toronto's Mitch Marner appearing out of position as the last defender—a unusual moment in an otherwise solid team effort.
Stone's goal for Vegas, his fourth of the season, came on a breakdown in Montreal's coverage. Both Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson were tied up in the corner, leaving Stone unmarked in front of the net. Players like Evans, Josh Anderson, and newcomer Alexandre Texier, who was making his debut for the Canadiens, were reportedly caught out of position. Stone, returning from a wrist injury that sidelined him for considerable time, has been productive since his comeback, notching at least one point in every game this season for a total of four goals and 15 points in just eight outings. At 33, his performance stands out, though he has a history of frequent injuries.
Rookie Oliver Kapanen had a pair of golden opportunities in the first period but couldn't convert. Alone in the slot, he failed to finish a pass from Ivan Demidov, and shortly after, he was denied on a breakaway by Schmid's glove-side stop. Despite the misses, Kapanen has contributed seven goals this season, showing promise as a young forward.
The Canadiens' faceoff work was a weak point, winning only 40.7 percent overall. Nick Suzuki led the way at 64 percent (9-for-14), but others struggled: Joe Veleno at 40 percent (4-for-10), Evans at 38 percent (5-for-13), and Kapanen at 33 percent (4-for-12). Defensively, Lane Hutson logged a team-high 25:13 of ice time, just edging out Dobson, who blocked six shots. Arber Xhekaj, returning after a healthy scratch in the previous game, played 11:15 with one hit, while his brother Florian saw 11:02 without registering a hit. Texier, in his first game with Montreal, recorded 13:41 of play, one shot, and one hit.
Montreal's road prowess continues to shine, improving to 7-2-2 away from the Bell Centre, compared to a middling 6-5-1 at home. Observers have quipped about the infamous Montreal traffic possibly affecting home performances, though the team seems more comfortable on the road. This disparity adds an intriguing layer to the Canadiens' season narrative.
Off the ice, the team enjoyed a rookie dinner on Thursday night in Vegas, with six freshmen helping split the bill—no one was late for the afternoon tilt. Vegas defenseman Zach Whitecloud, celebrating his 29th birthday, took a shot to the face from Demidov in the second period, resulting in profuse bleeding and likely lost teeth. The incident, while unfortunate, added to the physicality of the game.
For Vegas, Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl each fired seven shots but couldn't solve Montembeault until late. The loss highlights ongoing challenges without Hill, as Schmid bore the brunt of Montreal's pressure. Stone's point streak remains a bright spot for the Golden Knights, who will look to rebound in their next outing.
This victory not only erases the memory of the recent skid but also positions the Canadiens favorably heading into a homestand. With Montembeault finding his groove and young talents like Bolduc, Kapanen, and Slafkovsky contributing, St. Louis' squad is building momentum. The coach's own storied career—reaching 1,000 NHL points at age 39 years and 163 days on November 28, 2014, with the New York Rangers—serves as inspiration. Now 50, St. Louis joked in past interviews about still being able to lace up skates for a shift, though his leadership has been the real game-changer.
Looking ahead, the matchup against Ottawa on Tuesday offers another chance to extend the win streak. Montembeault's prior success against the Senators could factor into lineup decisions. As the season progresses, Montreal's blend of veteran savvy and rookie energy will be key to climbing the standings, especially if they can translate their road success back home.
The win in Vegas, where what happens often stays behind closed doors, instead became a public statement of resurgence for the Canadiens. With three straight victories, the team appears poised to put early-season inconsistencies in the rearview mirror.