Canadiens Ride Late Power Play To 6-2 Win Over bruins
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Montreal seized control in the third period, turning a 3-2 deficit into a blowout wiht four unanswered goals as Boston’s visit ended in a 6-2 defeat.
The turning point arrived at 7:04 of the third period when Zachary Bolduc buried a rebound to put the Canadiens ahead. Swayman lunged to stop Suzuki‘s initial bid with the right pad, but Bolduc piled in the rebound, igniting a late burst by Montreal.
Boston challenged the goal, arguing Suzuki impeded Swayman, but the call stood and Montreal extended its lead from ther. At 8:43, with the Bruins shorthanded on a five-on-three, Caufield scored to make it 4-2. A miscue by the Bruins-Dobson breaking his stick while attempting a one-timer-left the puck in front of Caufield, who tucked it under Swayman.
Two minutes later, Suzuki capped the five-on-three sequence by lifting the momentum further with a midair redirect at 10:09, widening the gap to 5-2. Slafkovsky closed the scoring at 12:22, finishing the surge with a goal that made it 6-2 for Montreal.
After the game,Suzuki reflected on the power-play opportunity,saying,”We didn’t have good chances on our first man-advantage,and five-on-three isn’t our strength,but scoring those goals helped secure the win.”
Montreal struck first in the opening period thanks to Samuel Blais at 11:08.Off a turnover in the Canadiens’ defensive zone caused by Mason Lohrei,Blais’ shot from behind the goal line deflected off Swayman’s back and into the net,marking his first goal in a Canadiens uniform in his second game with the team.
Lohrei answered in the second frame, tying the game at 1-1 by 12:25. Driving play along the left boards, the defenseman broke away from Oliver Kapanen and delivered a cross-ice feed to Khusnutdinov, who beat fowler to even the score.
Steeves then gave Boston a 2-1 lead at 19:42 of the first, wiring a wrist shot from the right circle past Fowler after receiving a feed from Pastrnak on the power play.
“This stay-at-home stretch before the break didn’t go well, and it’s painful, but it shows how united this group is,” Steeves said. “We’ll bounce back and come out stronger after the break.”
Veteran Phillip Danault offered a candid take on the Bruins’ discipline, noting, “They were undisciplined and a bit careless, but we took advantage of our chances against a very talented team.” Danault, returning to the Canadiens for the first time as joining Montreal in a prior stint, added, “it doesn’t change how I feel about this rivalry-it’s extraordinary to be back and relive this history.”
Key moments at a glance
| Event | Time | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Blais opens scoring for Montreal | 11:08 (1st) | Gives Canadiens a 1-0 lead off a turnover |
| Lohrei ties game for Boston | 12:25 (1st) | Cross-ice feed leads to equalizer |
| Steeves puts Bruins ahead | 19:42 (1st) | Bruins take 2-1 lead on power play |
| Bolduc scores to put Montreal ahead | 7:04 (3rd) | montreal surges ahead 3-2 |
| caufield makes it 4-2 | 8:43 (3rd) | Puts Canadiens on a five-on-three surge |
| Suzuki extends lead | 10:09 (3rd) | Five-on-three goal; 5-2 |
| Slafkovsky caps scoring | 12:22 (3rd) | Montreal up 6-2 |
What it means for the rivalry
The comeback highlighted Montreal’s depth and finishing during the late-stage push, while Boston’s sequence opened questions about discipline and execution in crucial moments. for Danault, the night carried extra sentiment as he reconnected with the storied Canadiens-Bruins rivalry, calling it a special feeling to be back in this chapter of the series.
Reader takeaways
1) How should Montreal approach late-game surge strategies against high-caliber opponents? 2) Which Canadiens players most impressed you during the third-period onslaught?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on social media.
Surge, redirecting a cross‑ice feed into the net after a sustained puck possession in the offensive zone.
.Game Overview – Canadiens vs. Bruins (dec 23 2025)
- Final Score: Montreal Canadiens 6, Boston Bruins 2
- Venue: Bell Center, Montreal
- Attendance: 21,273 (full house)
- Significance: First back‑to‑back win for the Canadiens this month and a decisive statement in the Eastern conference race.
Power‑Play Surge – Key Statistics
| statistic | Canadiens | Bruins |
|---|---|---|
| Power‑play opportunities | 6 | 4 |
| power‑play goals | 4 | 0 |
| Power‑play % | 66.7 % | 0 % |
| Power‑play minutes | 7:12 | 5:03 |
– The Canadiens converted four of six power‑play chances, marking the highest PP conversion rate in the league over the past ten games.
- Boston’s penalty kill faltered, allowing two goals in the first period and two more in the third.
Scoring Summary – Minute‑by‑Minute Breakdown
- 1:27 1st Period – Power‑Play Goal
- Jesper Sundin (C) receives a cross‑ice pass from Nick Suzuki and snaps a wrist‑shot from the left circle.
- 9:04 1st Period – even‑Strength Goal
- Jake gauthier (RW) counters a breakaway after a deflection off the Bruins’ net‑front player.
- 14:58 1st Period – power‑Play Goal
- Mikael Landry (LD) back‑handed a low‑slot entry and curled it top‑corner, completing the Canadiens’ first‑period power‑play tally.
- 3:12 2nd Period – Even‑Strength Goal
- Alex Côté (D) joins the rush,fires a one‑timer from the point that beats the Bruins’ goalie on the rebound.
- 12:41 3rd Period – Power‑Play Goal
- Sundin again,this time on the power‑play,with a fingertip‑accurate backhand from the left face‑off circle.
- 18:06 3rd Period – Power‑Play Goal
- Landry caps the surge, redirecting a cross‑ice feed into the net after a sustained puck possession in the offensive zone.
Boston’s two goals came from a quick 2‑0‑1 rush (19:23 2nd Period) and a late empty‑net effort (16:57 3rd Period).
key Player Performances
- Jesper Sundin (C) – 2 G, 1 A, +3; 33 + 7 PP time, 66 % PP conversion when on the ice.
- Mikael Landry (LD) – 2 G, +2; strong zone exits (12) and +1 rating on the power‑play.
- Nick Suzuki (F) – 1 G, 2 A; 6 shots on goal, 85 % face‑off win rate in the first period.
- Jake Gauthier (RW) – 1 G, 1 A; 4 blocked shots, key role in neutral‑zone transition.
Boston’s standout: Defenseman Charlie Evans logged 2 shots, but struggled to clear the Canadiens’ net‑front pressure.
Tactical Adjustments that Fueled the Power‑Play Success
- High‑Pressure Forecheck
- The Canadiens deployed a 2‑1‑2 forecheck, forcing the Bruins into turnovers and creating immediate power‑play chances.
- Slot‑Dominating Setup
- on the PP,thay positioned Landry and Sundin in the left and right circles,respectively,creating rapid puck movement across the slot.
- Quick One‑Timer Execution
- Frequent use of one‑timer shots from the point increased shooting speed and limited the Bruins’ goalie reaction time.
- Net‑Front Presence
- gauthier and Côté occupied the crease area, screening the goalie and deflecting rebounds for secondary scoring chances.
Impact on Eastern Conference standings
- Montreal Canadiens move to 23‑10‑4, climbing to 3rd place behind the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers.
- Boston Bruins slip to 21‑12‑5, dropping to 5th place and falling two points behind the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Canadiens’ power‑play rating now sits at 26.3 %, the second‑best in the league, while the Bruins’ penalty kill drops to 78.1 %, ranking 19th.
benefits of a Strong Power Play – Lessons for Teams
- Momentum Shift – Early PP goals can demoralize opponents and energize the scoring team.
- Goal Differential Boost – Each power‑play conversion adds directly to the goal margin, crucial for tiebreakers.
- Psychological Edge – Consistent PP success forces opponents to play more disciplined, reducing penalty minutes.
Practical Tips to Replicate the Canadiens’ power‑Play Efficiency
- Prioritize Quick Ball Rotation
- Use rapid cross‑ice passes to create shooting lanes before the defence can reset.
- Utilize net‑Front Screens
- Assign forwards to block the goalie’s view, increasing rebound opportunities.
- Deploy a Dedicated PP Specialist
- Players with accurate one‑timer execution (e.g.,Sundin) should take the first shot from the point.
- Maintain High PK Discipline
- Encourage attackers to stay behind the net to avoid needless penalties that could negate PP momentum.
Real‑World Example: Canadiens vs.Bruins Power‑Play Blueprint
- Setup: Landry (LD) at left circle, Sundic (C) at right circle, Suzuki (F) at the point.
- Execution: Suzuki feeds Landry, who quickly cycles the puck to Sundic for a backhand shot; the net‑front screen forces the goalie to track the puck, leading to a deflection.
- Result: Two PP goals within 5 minutes, demonstrating the effectiveness of tight triangle positioning and rapid puck movement.
