In the long rhythm of a difficult season, the Montreal Canadiens found a night where everything aligned — depth, opportunism, and resilience — to defeat the Nashville Predators 6-3 and end a four-game losing streak. The second period became the fulcrum of the evening, as four unanswered goals transformed a tentative lead into something that could withstand even Matt Duchene's remarkable third-period hat trick. For a team at 5-13-2, the victory was less a turning point than a reminder that even struggling sides carry within them the capacity to perform.
Canadiens end 4-game skid with dominant 6-3 win over Predators
Four goals in nine minutes turned the game into a rout
Mark
So Montreal was really struggling coming in—four straight losses. What changed in this game?
Mimi
The second period was the difference. They scored four goals in about nine minutes, and Saros just couldn't hold the line. Once he was pulled, it was clear Nashville was in trouble.
Luke
But let's be honest—Montreal is still 5-13-2. This is one win. The Predators are 9-7-1, so they're a better team overall. Duchene's hat trick shows Nashville had chances; they just couldn't finish earlier.
Mark
Duchene scored all three of his goals in the third period, right? That's unusual.
Mimi
Yes, and two of them were on the power play. He nearly brought them all the way back. If Montreal hadn't had that four-goal cushion, Nashville might have actually tied it.
Luke
The empty-netter sealed it, but that's only because Toffoli got the chance. If Nashville had scored one more before pulling the goalie, we're talking about a very different ending.
Mark
What about the disallowed goal early on? Did that affect the momentum?
Mimi
It's hard to say. Kunin's arm was involved, so the call was correct by the rules. But it might have stung Nashville—they were already down 1-0, and then they couldn't equalize.
Luke
One thing worth noting: Saros faced 19 shots and gave up five goals before being pulled. That's a 26 percent goal-against rate in one period. That's not sustainable, and it's not just about bad luck.
Mark
So this is a real win for Montreal, even if they're still a struggling team?
Mimi
It breaks the skid, which matters psychologically. Four straight losses can wear on a team. This gives them something to build on.
Luke
For one night, yes. But they're still 5-13-2. One win doesn't fix that.
The Pulse
- A four-game losing streak had placed Montreal in desperate need of a statement, and the second period delivered one with ruthless efficiency — four goals in just over nine minutes.
- Ryan Poehling struck twice in 37 seconds, a burst so sudden it forced Nashville's coach to pull starter Juuse Saros, who had surrendered five goals on only 19 shots.
- Matt Duchene refused to let the game die quietly, completing a third-period hat trick — two power-play goals and one at even strength — to pull Nashville within a single goal and rattle Montreal's nerves.
- With their net empty and the equalizer within reach, Nashville's comeback fell short as Tyler Toffoli buried an empty-netter to seal the 6-3 final and end the skid.
In the long rhythm of a difficult season, the Montreal Canadiens found a night where everything aligned — depth, opportunism, and resilience — to defeat the Nashville Predators 6-3 and end a four-game losing streak. The second period became the fulcrum of the evening, as four unanswered goals transformed a tentative lead into something that could withstand even Matt Duchene's remarkable third-period hat trick. For a team at 5-13-2, the victory was less a turning point than a reminder that even struggling sides carry within them the capacity to perform.
Montreal needed this one badly. Four consecutive losses had worn on the Canadiens, and Saturday night against Nashville offered a chance to stop the slide — one they seized with particular force in the middle frame.
Artturi Lehkonen opened the scoring early in the first, poking a loose puck past Juuse Saros for his first of the season. Nashville believed it had responded, but a disallowed goal — the referee ruling that Luke Kunin had directed the puck with his arm — kept Montreal ahead and the Predators frustrated.
The second period is where the game was decided. Josh Anderson's no-look backhand found Christian Dvorak, who made it 2-0. Brendan Gallagher converted on the power play moments later. Then Ryan Poehling delivered the knockout blow, scoring twice in 37 seconds to push the lead to five. Nashville coach John Hynes had seen enough, pulling Saros in favor of David Rittich, who was sharp in relief — but the night's shape had already been set.
Matt Duchene gave the third period genuine drama. He scored twice on the power play before completing his hat trick at even strength with just over three minutes left, suddenly making it a one-goal game. Nashville pulled their goaltender, chasing the equalizer, but Tyler Toffoli's empty-net goal closed the door at 6-3.
The win was a collective effort — Poehling, Lehkonen, Dvorak, and Gallagher all contributing, with Toffoli, Drouin, and Wideman each adding two assists. Samuel Montembeault made 33 saves to hold firm through Duchene's surge. At 5-13-2, Montreal remains a team in search of itself — but for one night, at least, they remembered how to win.
Montreal got the win it desperately needed Saturday night, beating Nashville 6-3 to end a four-game stretch without a victory. The Canadiens built their lead methodically through the first period and then took over entirely in the second, pouring four unanswered goals past Predators goaltender Juuse Saros in a span of just over nine minutes. That barrage proved enough to hold on even as Matt Duchene mounted a furious comeback attempt in the third.
Artturi Lehkonen opened the scoring just past the two-minute mark of the first period, recovering a loose puck in Saros's crease and tucking it home for his first goal of the season. Nashville thought it had answered back moments later when Luke Kunin directed a puck toward the net, but referee Corey Syvret waved it off, ruling that Kunin had used his arm to direct the play—a call that would loom larger as the night wore on.
Montreal doubled its advantage early in the second when Josh Anderson threaded a no-look backhand pass to Christian Dvorak, who buried his third of the campaign. Brendan Gallagher made it 3-0 on the power play at 3:32, receiving a pass from Jonathan Drouin and converting at close range. Then came the decisive stretch: Ryan Poehling scored twice in 37 seconds at 9:31 and 10:08, the second goal prompting Nashville coach John Hynes to pull Saros after he'd surrendered five goals on just 19 shots. David Rittich took over in relief and stopped all nine shots he faced, but the damage was done.
Duchene refused to let the game slip away quietly. He scored twice on the power play in the third period—at 6:36 and 12:53—before completing his hat trick at even strength with 3:33 remaining, pulling Nashville within a goal and forcing Montreal to defend with intensity down the stretch. The Predators pulled their goaltender to chase the equalizer, but Tyler Toffoli sealed the outcome with an empty-net goal, giving Montreal a 6-3 final.
For the Canadiens, the victory was built on depth scoring and opportunism. Poehling's two goals, Lehkonen's opener, Dvorak's finish, and Gallagher's power-play marker meant the load was distributed across the lineup. Toffoli, Drouin, and Chris Wideman each recorded two assists. Samuel Montembeault, Montreal's goaltender, made 33 saves on 36 shots, steady enough to weather Duchene's late surge. The win improved Montreal to 5-13-2 on the season—still a struggling team, but one that at least stopped the bleeding.
Notable Quotes
Juuse Saros allowed five goals on 19 shots before being pulled in the second period— Game summary
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