The Montreal Canadiens capitalized on a dominant third period to secure a 6-3 victory over the league-worst Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre on Monday, January 12, 2026. The win provided a crucial boost for the Habs before heading out on a three-game road trip.
A Tale of Two Teams: Habs Rebound, Canucks Continue Slide
The final score only tells part of the story of Vancouver's profound struggles. The Canucks are now mired in a seven-game losing streak (0-5-2), having been outscored by a staggering 34-15 margin during that span. This is a stark fall for a franchise that, less than two seasons ago, finished first in the Pacific Division with 50 wins.
Montreal, meanwhile, rebounded from a frustrating 1-0 home shutout loss to Detroit on Saturday. The timing of facing the NHL's weakest squad was ideal, as the Canadiens prepared to travel to Washington for a game the following night.
Key Moments and Performances Define the Game
The game was surprisingly tied 3-3 after two periods, but the Canadiens seized control immediately in the third. They scored twice on their first two shots within the first 70 seconds of the final frame to take a commanding 5-3 lead.
Defenceman Alexandre Carrier was the unexpected offensive hero, scoring two goals just 20 seconds apart in the second period to swing momentum. Juraj Slafkovsky had a three-point night (1 goal, 2 assists), showcasing his continued development. His 17th goal in 46 games puts him on pace to easily surpass his career high of 20.
Rookie Oliver Kapanen also shone, scoring his 16th goal and tying the Canucks' Elias Pettersson in total points (27), a notable comparison given Pettersson's previous 102-point season. Ivan Demidov continued his mastery over Vancouver, recording three assists to give him six points in two games against the Canucks this season.
Goaltending and Defensive Notes
In net, Montreal's Jakub Dobes earned the win despite a .870 save percentage, settling down after allowing three goals on the first 12 shots. For Vancouver, the night was a disaster in goal. Nikita Tolopilo, recalled from the AHL, was beaten on four of the 29 shots he faced for an .854 save percentage in his first NHL start since December 8.
Defensively, Canadiens blueliner Noah Dobson blocked four shots, bringing his league-leading season total to 115. The physical presence of Arber Xhekaj was felt, as he delivered six hits, including a notable one on Vancouver's Evander Kane.
The Bigger Picture for Both Franchises
The game highlighted the vast chasm between the two teams' current trajectories. Vancouver, in what team president Jim Rutherford has termed a "hybrid rebuild," looks lost. The fact that traded former captain Quinn Hughes remains tied for third in team scoring a month after his departure speaks volumes.
For Montreal, the victory was a necessary two points against a team they are expected to beat. As Slafkovsky stated post-game, "I think everyone knew if we want to make the playoffs... these are the games we should be taking two points." The Canadiens' power play, however, remains a concern, going 1-for-2 on the night to improve to just 2-for-18 in the 2026 calendar year.
The Canucks' misery continues as they head home, while the Canadiens move on with renewed confidence, having feasted on the NHL's weakest opponent.
