Alex Newhook Scores Twice as Canadiens Defeat Maple Leafs 4-2

I feel bad for “Jacko” (Xhekaj) because I don’t think it was a punishment. Martin St-Louis said after a chaotic penalty sequence at Scotiabank Arena.

Alex Newhook scored twice and Jacob Fowler stopped 26 shots as the Montreal Canadiens held off a late charge to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 on Saturday night. The victory pushed the Canadiens’ record to 11-3-3, while the Maple Leafs fell to 8-8-2.

Montreal Builds Early Lead Before Weathering Third Period Push

Montreal built a 3-0 lead through forty minutes before weathering a third-period push from the hosts. Newhook opened the scoring at 5:56 of the first period when his centering attempt deflected off two Toronto defenders past goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. He struck again at 13:06 of the opening frame, redirecting a point shot from Kaiden Guhle. Between the two goals, William Nylander hit the goal post for Toronto, and Jacob Fowler made a right-pad save against Auston Matthews following a passing play.

Montreal spent extended stretches trapped in their own zone during the middle frame, while Toronto missed scoring opportunities as Matthews twice missed the target and Nylander struck the goal post for a second time in the game. Fowler also used his catching glove to deny Nick Paul on a close-range shot before the end of the period. Zachary Bolduc later restored a two-goal cushion for Montreal with a power-play marker at 12:15 of the third period via a powerful one-timer with 7:45 remaining on the clock. Juraj Slafkovsky subsequently received a double minor penalty for high-sticking with 3:33 left, during which Jake Evans broke away shorthanded but was stopped by Bobrovsky, and two Montreal players broke their sticks before the many Montreal fans at Scotiabank Arena began chanting Olé! Olé! Olé!

Captain Questions Penalties During Scrum

I didn’t understand the need to punish (Xhekaj), especially when we had three players in the scrum and they had five. team captain Nick Suzuki said, adding that both teams should have received equal discipline.

Newhook noted that experiencing a late-game collapse earlier in the week against the Winnipeg Jets—where Montreal blew a four-goal lead in the final 2:39 of the third period in a 5-4 overtime loss—prepared the bench for Toronto’s surge.

Montreal Plays Without Josh Anderson for Personal Reasons

Montreal played without forward Josh Anderson due to personal reasons, with Owen Beck taking his place in the lineup. For Toronto, John Tavares returned to action after missing nine games with a lower-body injury. Bobrovsky finished the night with 24 saves for the Maple Leafs, and Fowler made his first appearance since the collapse against Winnipeg.

The Canadiens return to action on Tuesday to host the Minnesota Wild at the Bell Centre.

I don’t think too much about the past. I focus on my work every evening. Fowler said. Sometimes the opponent will score two quick goals. It’s my duty not to concede another one.

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