The Canadiens turned a 35-20 shot edge into a one-goal win over Utah on Thursday, earlier today Eastern time.
Montréal edged Utah 5-4 at Centre Bell on Thursday, earlier today Eastern time, making its shot advantage count in a one-goal finish. Logan Cooley produced three goals and an assist on three shots, finished minus-1, scored twice on the power play and delivered two hits for Utah. Nick Schmaltz added a goal and two assists, three points on three shots, a minus-2 rating and one power-play goal. Montréal answered with a spread attack: Nick Suzuki had a goal and an assist, four shots, a plus-1 and two hits, while Kirby Dach recorded a goal and an assist, two shots, a plus-2 and a power-play goal. Defensemen Arber Xhekaj and Adam Engstrom also scored for the Canadiens, who had 17 hits to Utah’s 30. Jakub Dobes stopped 16 of 20 shots for an .800 save percentage, while Sebastian Cossa made 30 saves on 34 shots for an .882 mark as Montréal took the result despite Cooley’s four-point night.
Key Performers
Logan Cooley, Utah: 3 G, 1 A, 4 P, 3 shots, -1, 2 PPG, 2 hits. Nick Suzuki, Montréal: 1 G, 1 A, 2 P, 4 shots, +1, 0 PPG, 2 hits. Kirby Dach, Montréal: 1 G, 1 A, 2 P, 2 shots, +2, 1 PPG, 1 hit.
Standings Impact
Montréal entered at 9-3-3 with 21 points, while Utah was 10-6-0 with 20. The Canadiens’ win extends their points lead to three, with Utah having played one more game.
DYMA Insight
Utah’s power play and Cooley delivered three goals, but Montréal’s 35-20 advantage in shots helped offset that surge. The result came with Utah ranked 12th in the power index and Montréal 16th, separated by just 0.3 points.