MONTREAL – Kaiden Guhle scored a late goal to lift the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, extending the Blackhawks’ winless start to their centennial season.
The Canadiens’ win came despite a barrage of penalties assessed to Chicago – 14 for a total of 39 minutes – and marked the third consecutive game to begin the season for both teams where the score was tied 2-2 after two periods. Montreal’s victory prevents Chicago from securing their first win of the season and highlights the Blackhawks’ struggles to close out games early in their 100th anniversary year.
Cole Caufield, on the power play, and Joshua Bolduc also scored for montreal. Caufield’s goal was his first of the season, while Bolduc has now scored in each of his first three games wiht the Canadiens - a feat not accomplished since Yanic Perreault in 2001. spencer Knight made 25 saves for the win.
For Chicago, Connor Bedard and Sam Rinzel found the back of the net. Rinzel’s goal was his first career NHL goal in his 12th game. Frank Nazar and teuvo Teravainen each recorded two assists.
The Blackhawks went 1-for-4 on the power play, while successfully killing eight of Montreal’s ten man advantages. Chicago played without forward Jason Dickinson, who is expected to be sidelined for about a week with an upper-body injury sustained Thursday against Boston.
Montreal will next host the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday in their home opener. Chicago will host the Utah Mammoth on Monday night.
