Dach, Caufield score in shootout as Canadiens roll past Avalanche 2-1

DENVER (AP) — Kirby Dach and Cole Caufield scored in the shootout, Jakub Dobes had 22 saves in regulation, and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 on Saturday night.

Caufield had the regulation goal for Montreal, which wrapped up its road trip with a 4-2 record.

Mackenzie Blackwood made 23 saves but could only stop one of three Canadiens in the shootout. Colorado had its season-high six-game winning streak snapped.

Mikko Rantanen scored his 23rd of the season at 9:01 of the first. Montreal got the equalizer from Caufield with 6:35 remaining on an odd-man rush with Nick Suzuki.

Both teams had breakaway chances in the overtime. Blackwood stopped Kaiden Guhle’s shot in the first minute and Dobes denied Artturi Lehkonen in the final minutes.

Dach, Caufield score in shootout as Canadiens roll past Avalanche 2-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes, right, makes a glove save of a shot as defenseman Lane Hutson battles for position with Colorado Avalanche center Parker Kelly in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

TAKEAWAYS

Canadiens: Montreal had a happy flight home after their season-long road trip despite playing the second game of a back to back. They are in the midst of playing 11 of 15 games away from home.

Avalanche: Blackwood is expected to carry a heavy load while Scott Wedgewood is out with an injury to his right leg. Trent Miner will play occasionally but Blackwood is expected to get the bulk of starts.

KEY MOMENT

The Canadiens got an odd-man rush midway through the third period and Emil Heineman passed the puck through the slot to Jake Evans skating down the left side. Blackwood slid over in time to stop the wrister and keep Montreal off the board.

Dach, Caufield score in shootout as Canadiens roll past Avalanche 2-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj, right, checks Colorado Avalanche center Juuso Parssinen as they pursue the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

KEY STAT

Rantanen extended his points streak to 13 games and has 57 points, which has him in the top three in scoring in the NHL.

UP NEXT

Canadiens: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.

Avalanche: Host the Florida Panthers on Monday.

Dach, Caufield score in shootout as Canadiens roll past Avalanche 2-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Colorado Avalanche center Juuso Parssinen, back, looks to pass the puck as Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson defends in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dach, Caufield score in shootout as Canadiens roll past Avalanche 2-1 | iNFOnews.ca
From left, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier, center Christian Dvorak and defenseman Mike Matheson confer in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dach, Caufield score in shootout as Canadiens roll past Avalanche 2-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Keaton Middleton, left, and Montreal Canadiens center Alex Newhook pursue the puck as it flies past in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dach, Caufield score in shootout as Canadiens roll past Avalanche 2-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin, left, has his shot deflected by Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson, center, as goaltender Jakub Dobes protects the net in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dach, Caufield score in shootout as Canadiens roll past Avalanche 2-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews, left, checks Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dach, Caufield score in shootout as Canadiens roll past Avalanche 2-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield, front, puts a shot on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dach, Caufield score in shootout as Canadiens roll past Avalanche 2-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes, back, deflects a shot by Colorado Avalanche center Parker Kelly in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Dach, Caufield score in shootout as Canadiens roll past Avalanche 2-1 | iNFOnews.ca
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, right, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche right wing Oskar Olausson pursues in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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