A Strong Response After a Scoreless First Period
The Montreal Canadiens didn’t find the back of the net in the opening period, but they clearly set the tone. Despite the scoreless frame, Montreal outshot the Calgary Flames 14–7, putting constant pressure on goaltender Dustin Wolf.
The breakthrough came early in the second period when Alexandre Texier opened the scoring with a wrist shot placed perfectly under the crossbar, marking the 100th point of his NHL career. The goal energized the Bell Centre crowd and shifted the momentum firmly in Montreal’s favor.
Texier wasn’t done. Later in the period, he added an assist on Lane Hutson’s eighth goal of the season, a quick one-timer that capitalized on sustained offensive pressure. Phillip Danault, playing his first game at the Bell Centre since rejoining the Canadiens, also picked up an assist on the play.
Canadiens Build a Comfortable Lead
Momentum continued to swing Montreal’s way as Oliver Kapanen extended the lead just 67 seconds later. Positioned perfectly in front of the net, Kapanen buried a rebound for his 14th goal of the season, his third in four games.
Calgary managed to respond late in the second period when Joel Farabee cut the deficit to two with a wrist shot from the top of the faceoff circle. Still, the Canadiens maintained control, heading into the third period with confidence and structure.
Early in the final frame, Texier recorded his third point of the night, assisting on Cole Caufield’s 21st goal of the season. Caufield beat Wolf cleanly with a powerful wrist shot, restoring a three-goal cushion and effectively sealing the outcome.
A Statement Win at the Bell Centre
The victory marked an encouraging start to Montreal’s first homestand of the new year after a productive seven-game road trip. The Canadiens collected 10 points out of a possible 14 during that stretch and showed signs of translating that success to home ice.
Danault’s return to Montreal was another highlight of the night. The veteran center reached the 400-point milestone earlier in the week and reunited with Brendan Gallagher, forming a line that head coach Martin St-Louis believes has long-term potential, especially with Zachary Bolduc adding speed and forechecking pressure.
For Calgary, the loss underscored ongoing road struggles. The Flames continue to search for consistency away from home as they attempt to stay within reach of a playoff spot.
With Caufield continuing his strong scoring pace and several key contributors stepping up, the Canadiens delivered a composed and convincing performance in front of their fans.
