Canadiens rally past Predators 2-1 for fifth straight win
The Montreal Canadiens extended their winning streak to five games with a 2-1 comeback victory over the Nashville Predators on Sunday night.
Cole Caufield and Patrik Laine scored second-period goals to overcome an early deficit at Bridgestone Arena.
Jakub Dobes stopped 36 shots for Montreal, which has rebounded strongly after a five-game losing streak.
Steven Stamkos scored the lone goal for Nashville, which has now lost six straight games and seven of their last eight. Juuse Saros made 15 saves in the losing effort.
Stamkos opened the scoring 4:19 into the first period, converting a feed from Filip Forsberg for his 25th goal of the season.
Caufield tied the game less than two minutes into the second period, finishing a pass from Nick Suzuki for his 36th goal of the season.
Laine put Montreal ahead just over four minutes later with his 20th goal, giving the Canadiens a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
The Predators went 0-for-4 on the power play.
Nashville outshot Montreal 37-17 overall, including a 15-8 advantage in the second period when the Canadiens scored both their goals.
Predators winger Matthew Wood made his NHL debut. The 20-year-old, selected 15th overall in the 2023 draft, recorded one shot in just over 13 minutes of ice time.
Lane Hutson’s assist on Laine’s goal was his 58th of the season, giving the 21-year-old defenseman from Holland, Michigan, 64 points. That ties Chris Chelios’ franchise record for points by a rookie defenseman.
The win strengthens Montreal’s (38-30-9) hold on the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens now sit five points behind Ottawa (42-29-6, 90 points) and six points ahead of both the New York Rangers (36-33-7) and Detroit Red Wings (36-33-7).
Saros lost his third straight decision and has dropped four of his last six games.
The Canadiens host the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, while the Predators host the New York Islanders the same night.
