Canadiens' top talent leads the way in big win over Islanders

Cole Caufield's five-point night powers Montreal's offensive outburst

Mar. 22, 2026 at 12:54pm

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The Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Islanders 7-3, led by a dominant performance from star forward Cole Caufield, who recorded a hat trick and five points. While the Canadiens' top line was the driving force, it was the supporting cast that stepped up at key moments to help secure the victory.

Why it matters

This game showcased the Canadiens' impressive offensive firepower, with Caufield and Nick Suzuki leading the way. However, the team's ability to overcome adversity and maintain their composure, even when facing a deficit, demonstrated their growth and resilience as they continue their push for the playoffs.

The details

The Canadiens controlled play in the first period but found themselves trailing 2-1 at the first intermission. In the second period, the Islanders pushed back, but the Canadiens' second line, led by Alex Newhook, tied the game at 2-2. Caufield then scored to give Montreal a 3-2 lead heading into the third period. Despite a momentum-shifting penalty by Brendan Gallagher, the Canadiens regained their footing, with Gallagher making amends by creating chaos in front of the net, leading to the go-ahead goal by Alexandre Carrier. From there, the Canadiens' top talent took over, with Caufield and Suzuki leading the way to a decisive victory.

  • The Canadiens led 2-1 after the first period.
  • Newhook scored the tying goal with just over two minutes left in the second period.
  • Caufield scored with 52 seconds left in the second period to give the Canadiens a 3-2 lead.
  • The Islanders tied the game at 3-3 early in the third period on the power play.
  • Gallagher helped create the chaos that led to Carrier's go-ahead goal in the third period.

The players

Cole Caufield

A 22-year-old forward for the Montreal Canadiens who recorded a hat trick and five points in the game, cementing his status as one of the league's top goal scorers.

Nick Suzuki

The Canadiens' 23-year-old center, who had four assists in the game, putting him on pace for over 100 points this season, a feat not accomplished by a Canadiens player in over 35 years.

Brendan Gallagher

A veteran forward for the Canadiens who took a costly penalty late in the second period but made amends by creating chaos in front of the net, leading to the go-ahead goal in the third period.

Alex Newhook

A 22-year-old forward for the Canadiens who scored the tying goal in the second period, helping the team regain momentum after falling behind early.

Martin St. Louis

The head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, who praised his team's ability to find their game again after a disappointing weekend, highlighting the importance of the supporting cast in the team's success.

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What they’re saying

“We needed to get some momentum back and a great pass by Guhles. I just tried to find a quiet area. It felt good to get one in a big moment like that.”

— Alex Newhook, Canadiens forward

“The only thing I hate about that first period was the score.”

— Martin St. Louis, Canadiens head coach

“No, I did not notice that. That's funny.”

— Cole Caufield

What’s next

The Canadiens will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push for a playoff spot. Their next game is on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins, another key matchup in the tight Eastern Conference standings.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Canadiens' offensive firepower, led by their young stars Caufield and Suzuki. However, it was the team's resilience and the contributions of the supporting cast that allowed them to overcome adversity and secure a crucial victory. As the Canadiens aim to make the playoffs, this type of team-wide effort will be essential to their success.