How Nashville Turned Montreal’s Early Lead Into a Collapse

The Montreal Canadiens appeared to have Thursday’s matchup under control after building a 2-0 advantage at Bell Centre. Instead, Nashville erased that lead with five consecutive goals and finished with a 5-2 victory.

Nick Suzuki and Alex Newhook gave Montreal the early cushion, while Jacob Fowler made 15 saves in his first start of the season. Ryan O’Reilly later delivered the decisive power-play goal with 3:16 remaining in regulation, and Adam Edstrom added two empty-net goals.

The defeat extended Montreal’s winless run to three games and left the Canadiens at 1-2-1. The result was frustrating because Montreal controlled long stretches, produced dangerous chances and looked like the stronger team before the game shifted dramatically.

A Promising Start Created a False Sense of Security

Montreal did not begin the night like a team destined to lose by three goals. The Canadiens established possession, pushed Nashville back into its own zone and created repeated pressure around Juuse Saros’ crease.

That pressure finally produced a goal 3:12 into the second period. During four-on-four play, Suzuki recovered a loose puck in front of the net and slipped a backhand shot through Saros for his third goal of the season.

Newhook extended the lead at 8:50. Josh Anderson’s forechecking helped create a turnover behind the Nashville net, and Newhook finished the resulting opportunity to make it 2-0.

At that point, Montreal had every reason to believe it could control the rest of the game. The crowd was engaged, Nashville was struggling to generate sustained offensive pressure and the Canadiens were winning the territorial battle.

The problem was that Montreal never added the goal that would have made its advantage much more difficult to overcome. A two-goal lead can disappear quickly in the NHL, especially when the opposing goaltender continues making timely saves.

The Most Important Problems Behind the Defeat

• Montreal generated pressure but did not finish enough of its best chances.
• Nashville scored twice late in the second period to erase the Canadiens’ lead.
• Power-play opportunities favored the Predators at critical moments.
• Montreal failed to capitalize on Josh Anderson’s breakaway chance.
• The final score was inflated by two empty-net goals.

These issues were connected. Because Montreal did not build a larger lead, Nashville remained close enough to gain confidence after its first goal. Once the Predators tied the game, the pressure shifted almost entirely to the Canadiens.

Saros Kept Nashville Within Reach

Saros was one of the main reasons Montreal never pulled away. He stopped 32 of 34 shots and repeatedly prevented the Canadiens from turning sustained possession into a commanding margin.

His most important stop came late in the third period, when Anderson broke in alone with a chance to restore Montreal’s lead. Saros used his left pad to deny the opportunity, preserving the tie.

That save became even more significant moments later. Nashville earned a power play, and O’Reilly redirected Roman Josi’s point shot past Fowler with 3:16 left to put the Predators ahead 3-2.

Montreal had controlled much of the game, but Nashville’s goaltender made the crucial save when the score was still level. The Canadiens could not answer with a comparable finish.

Late Second-Period Goals Changed the Entire Mood

The turning point arrived before the second intermission. With 4:54 remaining in the period, Alexander Kerfoot redirected a shot from the point past Fowler to cut Montreal’s lead to 2-1.

Nashville’s goal immediately gave the visitors more life. Montreal still had time to settle down, protect its lead and carry a one-goal advantage into the third period. Instead, another breakdown followed.

Matthew Wood tied the contest on the power play with only 32 seconds left in the second period. The Canadiens went from holding a comfortable-looking 2-0 lead to entering the final period tied 2-2.

The timing was particularly damaging. A team can often recover from allowing one goal, but giving up the equalizer moments before the intermission allows the opponent to carry momentum into the locker room. Nashville suddenly had belief, while Montreal had to process how quickly its advantage had vanished.

Special Teams Put Montreal in a Difficult Position

Nashville’s power play became the difference in a game where five-on-five play often favored Montreal. The Predators scored the tying goal with the man advantage and later used another power play to take their first lead.

Matheson’s tripping penalty against Steven Stamkos late in the third period created the decisive opportunity. O’Reilly converted after Josi sent the puck toward the net, producing the goal that changed a 2-2 game into a 3-2 Nashville advantage.

Montreal did not necessarily need a dominant power play to win, but it needed better discipline and more effective special-teams execution. In a close game, even one unnecessary penalty can determine the result.

The Canadiens also needed more from their own power play when opportunities appeared. Nashville found a way to produce goals in critical situations, while Montreal’s special teams did not provide the same response.

Fowler’s Performance Deserves Context

Fowler’s stat line may attract attention because Nashville scored five times, but the final total does not fully represent his night. He allowed three goals while actually defending the net; Edstrom scored twice into an empty cage after Montreal pulled Fowler late.

The 21-year-old was also making his first start of the season on short notice. He was recalled from Laval after Samuel Montembeault suffered a lower-body injury during Wednesday’s practice.

That situation placed Fowler in a demanding position. He had to face an opponent that was gaining momentum, kill dangerous penalties and manage traffic around the crease while Montreal’s defensive structure became less reliable.

Fowler will likely want to improve certain details, as any goaltender would after a loss. However, blaming him for the defeat would overlook the larger problems. Montreal failed to finish chances, gave Nashville power-play opportunities and could not protect its lead when the game became tense.

Montembeault’s Absence Adds Uncertainty

Montreal’s goaltending plans now depend heavily on the status of Montembeault’s injury. There was no immediate timetable for his return after he left the team dealing with the lower-body issue.

Fowler is not completely inexperienced at the NHL level. He appeared in 17 games last season and recorded a 9-6-2 record, a 2.43 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.

Still, there is a major difference between occasional NHL action and taking on an expanded role early in the season. If Montembeault remains unavailable, the Canadiens will need to protect Fowler more effectively and reduce the number of difficult situations created by penalties and defensive breakdowns.

Montreal’s Offensive Pressure Must Become Production

The Canadiens did several things well offensively. They moved the puck through the neutral zone, established possession in Nashville’s end and created quality opportunities around the net.

Those positives matter, but pressure alone does not win games. Montreal needed to convert more of its chances before Saros and the Predators gained control of the emotional side of the matchup.

Anderson’s late breakaway illustrated the issue perfectly. A goal would have restored Montreal’s lead and forced Nashville to chase the game. Instead, Saros made the save, and Nashville soon received the power play that produced O’Reilly’s winner.

The Canadiens cannot assume that strong territorial play will eventually produce a victory. When an opponent is vulnerable, Montreal must create separation before one mistake, penalty or save changes the game.

The 5-2 Score Needs to Be Read Carefully

Nashville won deservedly because it made better use of its decisive opportunities, but the final margin was misleading. Two empty-net goals in the closing minutes transformed a one-goal game into a three-goal result.

Montreal was not thoroughly outplayed from start to finish. The Canadiens led 2-0, generated more than enough pressure to win and were competitive for most of the night.

That does not make the loss harmless. Good teams must turn strong stretches into points, especially when they have a two-goal lead at home. Montreal’s inability to close the game exposed weaknesses in finishing, discipline and late-game decision-making.

Those areas are correctable, but they require immediate attention. Allowing a comeback after leading 2-0 can become a habit if the same mistakes continue to appear in close games.

Suzuki Remains a Reliable Offensive Leader

Suzuki provided one of the clearest positives by opening the scoring and reaching three goals early in the season.

His goal came from the kind of assertive net-front action Montreal needs from its top players. Rather than waiting for a perfect passing play, Suzuki attacked a loose puck and finished quickly through Saros.

As captain, he will be central to Montreal’s response. The Canadiens need Suzuki to keep driving offense, but they also need more consistent contributions from the rest of the lineup when opponents focus their defensive attention on him.

Three Corrections Before Detroit Arrives

Convert Pressure Into Separation

Montreal must be more efficient when it has an opponent under pressure. A 2-0 lead is useful, but it is not decisive. The Canadiens should continue attacking after taking the lead instead of allowing the opposing goaltender to settle into the game.

Reduce Avoidable Penalties

Late penalties are especially dangerous when the score is tied. Montreal gave Nashville the opportunity to use its power play in the most important moments, and the Predators responded with the winning goal.

Make the Goaltender’s Job Easier

Whether Fowler starts again or another option takes the crease, Montreal needs cleaner defensive coverage. That means limiting traffic, controlling rebounds, protecting the middle of the ice and staying out of the penalty box.

The Canadiens will have an immediate chance to respond when the Detroit Red Wings visit Bell Centre on Saturday. A strong performance against Detroit would not erase the collapse, but it could demonstrate that Montreal understands why the game slipped away.

Thursday’s defeat was less about a team being dominated than about a team failing to finish. Montreal created enough offense to win, but Nashville made the saves, drew the key power plays and capitalized when the decisive moments arrived.

For a Canadiens group sitting at 1-2-1, the next step is clear: create the same pressure, but turn it into a larger lead, cleaner special-teams play and a result that matches the quality of the performance.