The Montreal Canadiens bounced back in a big way with an overtime win over the Utah Mammoth on Thursday and were looking to keep the momentum going against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This was a game where two teams were seemingly heading in very different directions. The Canadiens entered this game winners of six of their last seven, while the Maple Leafs had lost three of their last four.
Early in this game, it certainly looked like that was the case as the Canadiens jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period. They would add another goal in the second and take a 3-0 lead into the final period.
However, the Maple Leafs didn't make it easy for them with two goals within 55 seconds to make it a one-goal lead. The way Toronto was able to score so quickly certainly brought back images of the game against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Canadiens, though, were able to recover, score again to push the lead back to two, and kill off a double-minor penalty over the final three minutes to secure the 4-2 win on Saturday night. These are some of the key takeaways for the Montreal Canadiens from the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Alex Newhook with another two-goal game
Alex Newhook is not known for being a goal-scorer, but it seems like every time he scores one, a second goal will follow in that game. That was the case against the Toronto Maple Leafs as he scored the first goal of the game about six minutes in and followed it up with another about seven minutes after that to give the Canadiens a 2-0 lead in the first period.
Newhook has been up and down the lineup this season, as he was at one point filling in for Nick Suzuki on the top line, but has recently been on the fourth line with Kirby Dach and Oliver Kapanen. In the past two games, this line has done really well and has combined for seven points during that stretch.
While Newhook may not get the credit he deserves, his ability to play anywhere Martin St. Louis needs him is invaluable and a big reason for their success.
Montreal Canadiens capitalized on rookie mistakes
One of the reasons that the Montreal Canadiens were able to build that three-goal lead in the second period was due to a few gifts by Gavin McKenna. The first overall pick from the most recent NHL Draft gave the Canadiens not one but two turnovers that turned into goals.
In the first period, McKenna didn't do a good job clearing the puck, and Newhook was able to steal the puck and eventually get it past Sergei Bobrovsky. Then, in the second period, McKenna tried to pass it across their zone and Chris Kreider was waiting.
The Canadiens' veteran forward would have a breakaway and didn't miss his chance to score his third goal of the season.
A tough turnover for Gavin McKenna results in Montreal's third of the night 🫣 pic.twitter.com/SoewOFXKHY
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 8, 2026
While McKenna did make up for it a bit in the third period with a goal, it was another tough night for the rookie with two costly turnovers.
Canadiens let the Maple Leafs back into the game in the third period but recovered
For the second time in three games, the Canadiens entered the third period with at least a three goal lead. The last time didn't work out well for them as it was against the Winnipeg Jets and that historic collapse.
It felt like they might be on the way to another collapse as the Maple Leafs scored two goals in less than a minute to make it a one-goal game midway through the third period. The first goal was on a power play that was certainly a questionable decision by the refs, with Arber Xhekaj the only player receiving a penalty.
Nylander would score the power play goal for Toronto, and then McKenna followed up with the second goal. However, the Canadiens were able to regain their composure and shut the door on any comeback as Zack Bolduc scored on the power play to push the lead back to two goals.
In the end, the Canadiens continued to have to work for this win as Juraj Slafkovsky would be called for a double minor for high -sticking. The Canadiens finished in the penalty kill for the final 3:33, but with some great saves by Fowler and an excellent penalty kill by the skaters in front of him, Toronto never really got close to cutting into the lead or tying the game up.
The Canadiens improve their record to 11-3-3 and remain near the top of a very competitive Atlantic Division.
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