Montreal Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky (20) and teammate Nick Suzuki (14) scramble for the puck surrounded by Anaheim Ducks' Jackson LaCombe (2), goaltender Lukas Dostal (1), Mikael Granlund (64) and Jacob Trouba (65) during the final minutes of third period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
The Montreal Canadiens were minutes away from salvaging at least a point on Sunday night. Instead, a late defensive lapse turned a tightly contested game into another frustrating loss.
Head coach Martin St. Louis watched what he believed would be an evenly fought contest headed toward overtime. Both teams, young and energetic, traded chances throughout the night. However, in the closing moments, the Canadiens’ defensive structure broke down at the worst possible time.
That mistake proved decisive as the Anaheim Ducks escaped with a narrow 4–3 victory.
Late Defensive Breakdown Hands Ducks the Edge
The turning point came with just 2:30 remaining in regulation. Anaheim forward Cutter Gauthier capitalized on a defensive miscue in front of the Montreal net to score the winning goal.
Jeffrey Viel delivered a clever behind-the-back pass into open space near the crease. Gauthier, left unmarked, quickly snapped the puck past Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler.
The opportunity emerged after a sequence along the boards went wrong for Montreal. Defenseman Kaiden Guhle slipped in the corner while battling two Ducks players. His defensive partner Lane Hutson and forward Cole Caufield joined the scrum, leaving the front of the net exposed. Gauthier seized the opening and positioned himself perfectly for the decisive strike.
For St. Louis, the play highlighted an ongoing issue with risk management during crucial moments.
The coach acknowledged that his team pushed aggressively when a more cautious approach may have been necessary. At a tied score late in the game, he suggested that a little fear of losing can sometimes help players make safer decisions.
Rookie Goalie Nearly Keeps Canadiens Alive
Despite the defensive breakdown, rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler delivered several impressive moments that nearly kept Montreal in the game.
The 21-year-old, playing only his second game since being recalled from the American Hockey League, produced two remarkable glove saves shortly before the Ducks’ winning goal. Fowler denied Jansen Harkins and Leo Carlsson in quick succession, drawing loud reactions from the Bell Centre crowd.
Those stops briefly preserved the tie and offered Montreal a chance to reach overtime. However, the defensive lapse moments later erased that opportunity.
St. Louis admitted the team was fortunate Fowler had already prevented the Ducks from taking the lead earlier.
Canadiens Still Searching for Their Best Hockey
The defeat marked Montreal’s second straight home loss after falling 3–2 to the San Jose Sharks the previous night. Although the Canadiens remain competitive in the standings, recent performances have left the team searching for consistency.
Montreal currently holds a 36-20-10 record and sits third in the Atlantic Division. The team trails the Tampa Bay Lightning by two points for second place but has played one additional game. At the same time, the Columbus Blue Jackets sit just three points behind as the Eastern Conference playoff race tightens.
Since returning from the Olympic break, the Canadiens have posted a 4-3-2 record. While that stretch includes some victories, captain Nick Suzuki believes the team has not played at its true level.
Suzuki admitted several recent games slipped away despite winnable situations. With the regular season entering its final stretch, he stressed that every point now carries significant playoff implications.
Gallagher Returns After Rare Scratch
Sunday’s game also marked the return of veteran winger Brendan Gallagher to the lineup. The longest-serving member of the Canadiens had been a healthy scratch the night before, the first time that happened since his NHL debut in January 2013.
Gallagher handled the situation professionally, acknowledging that the decision was difficult but part of the realities of a long career.
The 33-year-old Edmonton native has spent all 14 seasons of his NHL career in Montreal since being drafted in 2010. Through 64 games this season, he has recorded six goals and 14 assists while averaging a career-low 12 minutes and 39 seconds of ice time.
Even so, Gallagher emphasized the importance of staying prepared and supporting the team whenever his number is called.
A Crucial Rivalry Matchup Ahead
The Canadiens will now turn their focus to an important matchup Tuesday night at the Bell Centre against the Boston Bruins.
Boston currently occupies the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and trails Montreal by only two points. With the playoff race tightening, the upcoming rivalry game could carry significant implications for both teams.
For the Canadiens, the challenge is clear. If they hope to solidify their playoff position, they must eliminate costly late mistakes and rediscover the disciplined, confident hockey that carried them earlier this season.
