Three Turning Points Behind Montreal’s Collapse

The Montreal Canadiens appeared headed toward a convincing home victory Thursday night. They established control, built a 2-0 advantage and spent long stretches forcing the Nashville Predators to defend.

Instead, Montreal watched its lead disappear before suffering a 5-2 loss at the Bell Centre. Nashville scored five consecutive goals, including Ryan O’Reilly’s late power-play deflection, while the Canadiens extended their winless run to three games and fell to 1-2-1.

The result was especially frustrating because Montreal was not thoroughly outplayed. The Canadiens created pressure, produced quality chances and looked like the stronger team early. Their defeat came from a combination of missed opportunities, untimely penalties and a momentum swing they could not stop.

A Strong Start Produced Only a Two-Goal Lead

Montreal’s best stretches came before the game turned. The Canadiens moved the puck effectively, kept Nashville pinned in its own zone and created repeated traffic around Juuse Saros.

Nick Suzuki opened the scoring 3:12 into the second period during four-on-four play. He found a loose puck near the crease and slipped a backhand shot past Saros for his third goal of the season.

Alex Newhook then doubled the lead at 8:50. Josh Anderson supplied the feed after Montreal sustained pressure in the Nashville zone, giving the Canadiens a 2-0 cushion.

At that stage, Montreal had every reason to believe it could build a decisive advantage. The problem was that the team never added the goal that might have ended Nashville’s comeback before it began.

Missed Chances Kept Nashville Alive

Montreal’s offensive pressure was real, but pressure alone does not secure points. Saros repeatedly prevented the Canadiens from converting their control into a larger lead, finishing with 32 saves.

Every stop became more valuable as the game progressed. Had Montreal scored a third goal during its strongest stretches, Nashville would have faced a much steeper challenge. Instead, the Predators remained within one scoring play of changing the game.

The Canadiens also had a major opportunity late in regulation. Josh Anderson broke in alone with roughly eight minutes remaining, but Saros denied him with a left-pad save. A goal would have restored Montreal’s lead and potentially changed the entire finish.

That save was one of the night’s clearest dividing lines. Nashville’s goaltender protected his team when it needed him most, while Montreal could not finish its best chances.

Two Late Second-Period Goals Reversed the Momentum

Nashville’s comeback began with 4:54 left in the second period. Alexander Kerfoot redirected a point shot past Jacob Fowler, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and giving the Predators renewed energy.

The equalizer arrived at an even more damaging time. With only 32 seconds remaining in the period, Matthew Wood scored on the power play to make it 2-2.

Montreal had controlled much of the period, yet entered the intermission tied instead of ahead. That difference affected more than the scoreboard. Nashville gained confidence, while the Canadiens had to absorb the psychological blow of surrendering a two-goal lead in the closing minutes.

The sequence also exposed Montreal’s lack of margin for error. A team that does not finish its chances must be especially careful when protecting a lead. The Canadiens were unable to do either.

Penalties Handed Nashville the Decisive Break

Special teams ultimately determined the outcome. Nashville scored twice on the power play, including Wood’s tying goal and O’Reilly’s go-ahead marker.

With the game tied late in the third period, Mike Matheson was penalized for tripping Steven Stamkos. The Predators capitalized with 3:16 remaining when O’Reilly redirected Roman Josi’s point shot past Fowler for a 3-2 lead.

That was Nashville’s first lead of the night, and it arrived at the worst possible moment for Montreal. The Canadiens had managed to survive several difficult shifts, but one more penalty gave the Predators the opening they needed.

Montreal’s power play could not provide an equal response. In a tight game against a goaltender playing well, special teams must create an advantage. Nashville did so; Montreal did not.

Fowler’s Debut Was Not the Main Problem

Jacob Fowler made his first start of the season after Samuel Montembeault suffered a lower-body injury during Wednesday’s practice. The 21-year-old stopped 15 shots in his season debut.

The final score does not offer a fair summary of Fowler’s night. Adam Edstrom scored twice into an empty net after Montreal pulled its goaltender, meaning Fowler allowed three goals while defending the net.

He also faced difficult situations on Nashville’s power plays, including the shot that O’Reilly redirected for the winning goal. Fowler may have wanted a few moments back, but the loss cannot reasonably be assigned entirely to him.

The larger concern is Montreal’s uncertainty in goal. There was no clear timetable for Montembeault’s return Thursday, leaving Fowler potentially responsible for important minutes earlier than expected.

What the Canadiens Must Correct Immediately

• Convert sustained pressure into goals: Montreal cannot dominate possession and settle for a narrow lead. A third goal would have changed Nashville’s options and reduced the impact of one mistake.
• Stay out of the penalty box: Nashville’s tying and winning goals both came with the man advantage. Discipline is especially important late in close games.
• Support whoever starts in net: Cleaner defensive coverage, fewer penalties and better rebound control would reduce the burden on Fowler or any replacement for Montembeault.
• Respond after momentum shifts: Once Nashville scored late in the second period, Montreal needed a composed start to the third. Instead, the game remained vulnerable until the Predators took over.

The 5-2 Score Hides a Competitive Performance

Because two goals came into an empty net, the final margin makes Nashville’s victory appear more comfortable than the game was for most of the night.

Montreal was not three goals worse during ordinary five-on-five play. The Canadiens controlled meaningful portions of the contest and held a 2-0 lead. Their failure was primarily one of execution and game management.

Saros kept Nashville close, Montreal missed chances to restore its lead, and penalties gave the Predators decisive opportunities. Those details explain the result more accurately than the final score alone.

Saturday’s Detroit Game Becomes an Immediate Test

The Canadiens will host the Detroit Red Wings at the Bell Centre on Saturday, giving them little time to dwell on the defeat. Montreal now has a 1-2-1 record and three consecutive games without a win.

That record is not a reason for panic this early in the season, but Thursday’s loss should be treated as a clear warning. The Canadiens showed they can control stretches of a game; the next step is protecting that control when the opponent pushes back.

Suzuki remains a central part of that response. His goal against Nashville gave him three goals early in the season, and Montreal will need its captain to continue driving the offense.

The lesson from Thursday is straightforward: create the lead, extend it when the opportunity appears and avoid giving the opponent a path back into the game. Montreal did the first part against Nashville. Detroit will reveal whether the Canadiens can complete the rest.