Montreal secured a 4‑2 victory over Minnesota on Monday night, boosting the Habs’ playoff positioning while dealing a setback to a Wild squad fighting for a postseason spot. The win, highlighted by early scoring from rookie Alexandre Tremblay and a two‑goal night from Cole Caufield, moved Montreal closer to a top‑four finish in the Atlantic Division.
Game Summary
Scoring Highlights
Alexandre “Alex” Tremblay opened the scoring at 3:12 of the first period with a wrist shot after a give‑and‑go with Nick Suzuki. Jordan Kyrou answered for the Wild on the power play at 6:48, tying the game. Cole Caufield delivered two goals in the second period (2:05 and 9:33), giving Montreal a 3‑2 lead. Matt Boldy scored for Minnesota midway through the period. In the third, Jesper Bratt’s power‑play goal at 17:41 sealed the win for the Canadiens. Jake Allen recorded 30 saves; Filip Gustavsson made 34 saves for the Wild.
Box Score Snapshot
- Montreal Canadiens – 4 goals, 8 assists, 12 points, +3 rating, 10 PIM, 32 shots.
- Minnesota Wild – 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points, –3 rating, 12 PIM, 28 shots.
- Key Contributors
- Cole Caufield (MTL) – 2 G, 1 A, 3 P, 2‑minute penalty.
- Alex Tremblay (MTL) – 1 G, 1 A, 2 P, 0 PIM.
- Jordan Kyrou (MIN) – 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, 2 PIM.
- Matt Boldy (MIN) – 1 G, 1 A, 2 P, 4 PIM.
Betting Odds and Market Reaction
Initial lines favored the Wild at +115 moneyline with an over/under of 5.5 goals. As the game unfolded, the spread shifted to Wild –0.5 at -130, reflecting confidence in Montreal’s momentum. The final 4‑2 result hit the “under,” rewarding bettors who anticipated a defensive battle, while the Canadiens covered the +115 underdog odds.
How to Watch
The matchup aired on CBS (channel 2 in most markets) and streamed live via the CBS Sports app, Paramount+, and the NHL’s streaming platform. Cord‑cutters could also view the game on YouTube TV and Sling TV through the CBS Sports package. The next Canadiens‑Wild meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2026, at the Bell Centre.
Context and Background
Montreal sits fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 31‑22‑5 record, chasing a top‑four spot that guarantees home‑ice advantage in the first playoff round. Minnesota holds sixth place in the Central Division at 28‑24‑4, striving to remain within the Western Conference’s top‑8. Both teams entered the game with contrasting trajectories, adding urgency to the result.
Implications Moving Forward
With the win, Montreal rises to 34 points, narrowing the gap to the Boston Bruins to two points and bolstering morale ahead of a road stretch against the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers. Minnesota falls to 30 points, widening the distance to the Colorado Avalanche and prompting potential lineup adjustments on the blue line.
Coaches’ Perspectives
Claude Julien (Montreal): “We needed to capitalize early. Alex’s goal set the tone, and Cole’s power‑play confidence gave us the cushion. Defensively we stuck to our system and limited high‑danger chances.”
Mike Yeo (Minnesota assistant): “We gave ourselves too many early opportunities. Our penalty kill was solid, but we lacked offense when down. We’ll adjust our forecheck to prevent the Canadiens from dictating pace.”
Looking Ahead
Montreal aims to maintain its offensive spark and secure a playoff berth before the trade deadline, while Minnesota must regroup quickly to stay in the Western Conference race. Fans can follow the next chapter of this rivalry on CBS or via streaming platforms as the regular season races toward its dramatic conclusion.
