The Canadiens lost 4-2 at the Bell Centre on Saturday despite their best efforts to overturn a sizable four-goal hole. After the first period ended without a goal, Montreal’s bitter rival quickly took a 4-0 lead. However, the home team responded with two goals from captain Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. After the Leafs scored their fourth goal, Samuel Montembeault was substituted out of the game. Cayden Primeau, his replacement, stopped eighteen shots, while he made just eight saves. Suzuki recorded his 41st assist of the season with a secondary assist on Caufield’s goal, surpassing his own records from 2021–22 and 2022–23.
In relation to landmarks, Cole Caufield and Joel Armia will reach their own on Sunday. The former will participate in his 500th NHL game of career, while the latter in his 200th. With a goal against the Rangers, the Finnish forward, who has been playing some of his finest hockey this season, could set a new personal best. With 16 goals so far this season, the 30-year-old has matched his highest goal total from the 2019–20 campaign. Armia is the team’s nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy because of his tenacity, good sportsmanship, and commitment to hockey this season. Caufield, meanwhile, needs just two more points to become the first player in the NHL to achieve 60 points. At 23, the young player has scored 23 goals.
In the meantime, on Sunday, the Rangers want to set their own record. The opponents of Montreal could win to tie the franchise record set in 2014–15 and claim their 53rd victory of the year. The last time New York played was on Friday at Little Caesars Arena, where they defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-3. The team led by Peter Laviolette achieved their eighth victory in a row. The Blueshirts lead the NHL in points with 108. Artemi Panarin, who has 111 points, good for fourth place in the League, is also on an eight-game point run, so the Canadiens will need to keep a careful check on him.
