Caufield powers Canadiens to 3-1 victory over Panthers
MONTREAL (AP) — Cole Caufield scored his team-leading 33rd goal and added an assist to help the Montreal Canadiens beat the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Saturday night.
Patrik Laine and Christian Dvorak — with his 100th career goal — also scored for Montreal. Sam Montembeault made 21 saves, including a windmill glove stop on Carter Verhaeghe late.
Mackie Samoskevich scored for Florida, which lost for the second time in nine games. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 12 shots.
The Canadiens, who were coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to Seattle on Wednesday, remained within a point of being in playoff position with 71 points.
Laine opened the scoring with a power-play goal 5:15 into the game, ripping a wrist shot over Bobrovsky’s left shoulder for his 16th — and 13th with the man-advantage — in 36 games.
Alex Newhook appeared to make it 2-0 off a feed from Suzuki, but the goal was overturned after the Panthers challenged for goalie interference.
Caufield followed soon after with a goal at 15:56 of the first, before Samoskevich tied it in the second.
Dvorak deflected a point shot from David Savard to make it 3-1 at 8:11 of the third.
TakeawaysCanadiens: Montreal’s first line stayed hot, even though Nick Suzuki was held off the scoresheet. Caufield’s two points and Juraj Slafkovsky’s assist gave the top trio a combined 40 points in 10 games since Feb. 22.
Panthers: The defending Stanley Cup champions played their third consecutive game without Matthew Tkachuk (lower body), deadline acquisition Brad Marchand (upper body) and defenseman Aaron Ekblad (suspension).
Key momentAfter Dvorak made it 3-1, Canadiens fans started doing the wave and chanting “Olé, Olé, Olé” for 10 minutes — including during an entire TV timeout.
Key statLane Hutson became the fourth-fastest defenseman to get 50 NHL assists. The rookie did it in 68 games, behind only Larry Murphy (62), Mark Howe (65) and Stefan Persson (66). Hutson is also the second-fastest player in Canadiens history to reach the mark after Vincent Damphousse (66).
Up nextThe Panthers visit the New York Islanders on Sunday, and the Canadiens host the Senators on Tuesday.
___
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
-
Bennett's power-play goals lift short-handed Panthers over Maple Leafs 3-2
Sam Bennett scored power-play goals late in each of the first two periods, Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves and the short-handed Florida Panthers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Thursday night ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Panthers road trip continues against Montreal squad fighting for playoff spot
The Florida Panthers will be looking to make it a perfect visit to Canada when they visit the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Three takeaways: Panthers struggle again with Montreal, Maurice quite unhappy with result
The hometown fans left their arena happy on Saturday night following the battle between the Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Canadiens: Taming The Panthers
If the Montreal Canadiens have any hope of qualifying for the playoffs, they’ll need to tame the Stanley Cup Champions Florida Panthers since they are playing three of their remaining 17 games ...Yahoo Sports - 19h -
Kyle Connor scores 2 goals and adds an assist as Jets beat Stars 4-1
Kyle Connor scored twice and added an assist to lead the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas StarsABC News - 1d -
Kyle Connor scores 2 goals and adds an assist as Jets beat Stars 4-1
Kyle Connor scored twice and added an assist to lead the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday night. Dylan Samberg and Morgan Barron also scored for Winnipeg, while Mark ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Martínez, Fernández score goals to help NYCFC beat Revolution 2-1
Alonso Martínez scored the go-ahead goal in the 68th minute, Julián Fernández added a goal and New York City FC beat the New England Revolution 2-1 Saturday night. Martínez slammed home a rebound ...Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Erik Karlsson's power-play goal carries Penguins past Devils, 7-3
Erik Karlsson scored a power-play goal and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New Jersey Devils 7-3 on Saturday. Rickard Rakell scored his team-leading 31st goal. Connor Dewar scored twice, and ...Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Diogo Gonçalves, Diego Luna score first-half goals to lead Real Salt Lake over Dynamo 2-1
Diogo Gonçalves scored in the first minute, Diego Luna added a goal during first-half stoppage time and Real Salt Lake held on for a 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night. ...Yahoo Sports - 3h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Fabrizio Romano explains why Chelsea are going to sell 7-8 players this summer
It sounds like it is going to be another busy summer at Chelsea, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the club are looking to sell 7-8 players.The new comes after Chelsea beat Copenhagen 1-0 on Thursday ...Yahoo Sports - 35m -
McLaren driver Lando Norris wins Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton places 10th
Yahoo Sports - 46m -
Formula 1: Lando Norris wins wet Australian Grand Prix to open the 2025 season
Norris won from the pole. But it was hardly a straightforward win.Yahoo Sports - 46m -
Kings face the Grizzlies on 4-game skid
Yahoo Sports - 50m -
Jokic leads Denver against Golden State after 40-point game
Yahoo Sports - 50m
More in Sports
-
Ronald Acuna Jr. says he'll be more careful this season -- but no one believes him
From 40/70 to 40/30? The Braves' 2023 NL MVP is rehabbing with a plan to be stronger -- and healthier.ESPN - 16m -
Fabrizio Romano explains why Chelsea are going to sell 7-8 players this summer
It sounds like it is going to be another busy summer at Chelsea, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the club are looking to sell 7-8 players.The new comes after Chelsea beat Copenhagen 1-0 on Thursday ...Yahoo Sports - 35m -
Houston beats 'Zona for Big 12 title, eyes 1-seed
Second-ranked Houston turned up its trademark defense in the final minute to hold on for a 72-64 victory over Arizona in the Big 12 tournament championship game Saturday night.ESPN - 39m -
St. John's wins first Big East tourney since '00
The No. 1 seed coming into the tournament played like it all week at Madison Square Garden, as coach Rick Pitino and his St. John's Red Storm secured their first Big East title since 2000, and will ...ESPN - 39m -
Vikings acquiring RB Mason in trade with 49ers
The Vikings added a young veteran running back to pair with starter Aaron Jones, landing Jordan Mason in a trade with the 49ers.ESPN - 39m