The Montreal Canadiens secured their second consecutive victory with a 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night, marking a significant turn as they continue to build momentum with points earned in 12 of their past 14 games.
Early excitement filled the arena as the Stars took the lead with Jason Robertson scoring just under four minutes after the puck dropped. A rebound from Evgenii Dadonov's shot allowed Robertson to convert and give Dallas the early advantage. Yet, the Canadiens responded swiftly, with Juraj Slafkovsky ending his streak of 10 games without scoring, quickly tying it up within the first five minutes of play.
The decisive turning point came midway through the third period when Alex Newhook, channeling his inner forward instinct, managed to deflect the puck past Stars goalie Jake Oettinger. This goal held after a brief review concerning the height of Newhook's stick when he battled with Dallas’ Wyatt Johnston near the crease. "Newhook’s goal stood up following a replay review to check the height of his stick..." noted the Associated Press.
Goalie Jakub Dobes, who seems to have wholeheartedly embraced his role since being called up from Laval of the AHL, exhibited steady nerves, making 32 saves, pushing his record to a perfect 4-0-0, all on the road against teams with winning records. “Dobes improved to 4-0-0, with all four victories coming on the road against teams with winning records...” confirmed the AP. His excellent performance provided the necessary backbone for the Canadiens as they aimed to maximize their upcoming matches.
With their other forward Joel Armia scoring the final goal with empty-net precision, securing the Canadiens’ victory was complete. Despite the Stars’ earlier success, winning seven games straight before this loss, they have struggled to maintain their form with two losses out of their last three games.
The absence and injuries of pivotal players for Dallas—Tyler Seguin who has been sidelined since December due to hip issues, Roope Hintz on day-to-day status, and Mason Marchment dealing with a facial fracture—have hampered their performance substantially. Facing the Canadiens, who are starting to exhibit their true potential as playoff contenders, they seemed unable to break through defensively and generate the necessary scoring. Fans may wonder if their struggles are just due to luck or something more systemic within the team's strategies.
With Lane Hutson aiding as he racked up another assist, leading NHL rookies with 36 points this season, the Canadiens have youth and versatility on their side. Hutson aims to be the first defenseman to lead rookie scoring since Quinn Hughes did it back in the 2019-2020 season. His assists are cementing relationships with the more experienced forwards, enhancing the team’s overall coherence during games.
Looking forward, the Canadiens will kick off a three-game homestand beginning with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. This stretch offers them the chance to build their position and find consistency at home. Meanwhile, the Stars, licking their wounds from this loss, will head to Colorado, where they hope to rebound with authority. The stakes have ramped up for both teams as the NHL season progresses, and each game now carries more weight than ever.