Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield (13) netted the game-winning goal in overtime against San Jose Sharks goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, while defenseman Jake Walman (96) tried to block the shot. The NHL matchup took place in Montreal on Thursday, February 27, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
The Montreal Canadiens may not have been at their sharpest, but they still found a way to claim a 4-3 overtime victory against the struggling San Jose Sharks on Thursday. Despite trailing three times during regulation, Montreal’s top line carried the team to its third consecutive win.
Falling Behind but Fighting Back
San Jose opened the scoring early, with Fabian Zetterlund sneaking one past Montreal’s defence. However, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki responded, combining for a slick two-on-one goal to even the score. The Sharks regained the lead through Nico Sturm, but Suzuki once again answered before the first period ended, blasting a shot past goaltender Alexandar Georgiev.
The second period saw fewer fireworks, as neither team managed to pull ahead. Montreal struggled to find rhythm, and the Sharks held firm. “We just weren’t at our best,” Suzuki admitted. “We fought through the first period, and the second wasn’t great either. But in the third, we started playing better and found a way.”
Caufield’s Overtime Magic
With the game deadlocked in the third, Alex Newhook scored the equalizer with an assist from rookie Owen Beck—his first NHL point. Then, in overtime, Caufield stole the spotlight. Breaking through the Sharks' defence, he weaved past defenders and delivered a stunning game-winner, igniting the Bell Centre crowd.
Montreal’s head coach, Martin St-Louis, acknowledged that his team had work to do despite the win. “We can’t expect to scrape by like this every game,” he said. “The players know we need to be better, but they showed maturity by pulling through.”
Top Line Driving the Offense
Montreal’s success hinged largely on the performance of its top line. Suzuki, Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky have accounted for six of the team’s last ten even-strength goals and racked up 15 points over the past three games. Their chemistry has been the backbone of the Canadiens’ recent success.
“We expect to lead the way every night,” said Caufield. “We have to push the pace, and we know what’s expected of us.”
Playing Through Pain
The night wasn’t without its challenges. Forward Josh Anderson suffered a hard crash into the boards during the second period but returned to the third. He had exited Tuesday’s game with a similar injury, but his resilience impressed his teammates.
“Anderson is one of the toughest guys I’ve ever seen,” Suzuki said. “He brings energy every night, no matter what.”
Beck’s First NHL Point
Rookie Owen Beck finally notched his first NHL point with an assist on Newhook’s goal. After going scoreless in his first nine career games, he was relieved to get on the board.
“It took long enough,” Beck said with a grin. “It was on my mind, but I’m glad to finally get it.”
The Canadiens now look ahead to their next matchup, hoping to extend their winning streak and build on their momentum.
