Montreal Canadiens' Mike Matheson, left, celebrates his game-winning goal with teammate Ivan Demidov in overtime NHL hockey action against the Calgary Flames in Calgary on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.
Mike Matheson scored the decisive goal in overtime as the Montreal Canadiens edged the struggling Calgary Flames 2-1 on Wednesday.
Zachary Bolduc also scored for Montreal, which improved to 6-2-0 and has won six of its last seven games following a season-opening loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Adam Klapka netted Calgary’s only goal. The Flames dropped to 1-6-1, extending their winless streak to seven games after opening the season with a victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
Dobes Shines in Montreal Net
Rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes made 36 saves in a standout performance, boosting his record to a perfect 4-0-0. Dobes faced an onslaught of shots but held firm, showing poise under pressure.
Calgary’s Dustin Wolf, last year’s Calder Trophy runner-up, made 26 saves but fell to 1-5-1. While Dobes faced more shots overall, Wolf contended with higher-quality chances in key moments.
Flames Tie Late in Regulation
Montreal led 1-0 entering the third period until the Flames drew even at 5:56. Klapka capitalized on a Noah Dobson turnover in front of the net, stealing the puck and scoring five-hole.
Despite the equalizer, Montreal’s depth and discipline proved decisive in overtime.
Canadiens’ Rising Star: Zachary Bolduc
Bolduc continues to impress in his first season with Montreal. The 22-year-old winger has four goals, just one behind Cole Caufield for the team lead.
Bolduc joined the Canadiens from St. Louis on July 1 in a trade involving 2021 first-round picks. He previously scored 19 goals for the Blues in his first full NHL season.
Flames Struggle Offensively
Calgary’s offensive woes persisted. With just 13 goals in eight games, the Flames now hold both the NHL’s and franchise’s worst start in terms of scoring. The last comparable mark was set in the Flames’ 1972-73 expansion season in Atlanta.
Their shooting percentage through eight games sits at 5.6%, far below the previous NHL record low of 6.9% set by the 2014-15 Arizona Coyotes.
Key Overtime Moment
Montreal dominated possession in overtime. Fresh skaters allowed the Canadiens to exploit Calgary’s tired lineup.
The game-winning goal came just 59 seconds into overtime. Ivan Demidov spotted Matheson speeding on the far side and delivered a precise pass through the slot. Matheson one-timed it into the open side to secure the victory.
What This Win Means
Montreal’s victory showcases its growing confidence and depth. Dobes’ performance underlines the strength of the Canadiens’ rookie goaltending pipeline. Bolduc’s continued scoring highlights Montreal’s successful offseason moves.
For Calgary, offensive struggles remain a glaring concern. The Flames will need to find solutions quickly to turn around their season and climb out of the league’s scoring cellar.
