Post by : Meena Ariff

In a thrilling match on Thursday night, Montreal Canadiens' Zachary Bolduc stood out by netting two goals, leading his team to a decisive 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at the Bell Centre. Lane Hutson also impressed with three assists, notably on Bolduc's first goal, achieving a franchise record.

The game kicked off with the Blackhawks' Frank Nazar scoring from a redirected pass just 7:27 into the first period, capitalizing on an early defensive misstep by Montreal. However, the Canadiens quickly regrouped and took control.

Montreal's Cole Caufield executed a skillful maneuver behind the net, feeding Bolduc for a powerful one-timer that levelled the score at 14:23. This marked Bolduc's first goal at the Bell Centre this season and his eighth overall, igniting jubilation among the fans. The 22-year-old from Trois-Rivières, Quebec, celebrated enthusiastically after the goal.

Bolduc scored again early in the third period, just 20 seconds in, redirecting the puck to give Montreal a 2-1 advantage. Noah Dobson then found a loose puck, extending the lead to 3-1 at the 10-minute mark, with Nick Suzuki sealing the win with an empty-netter.

Montreal's Jakub Dobes made 14 crucial saves, while Spencer Knight faced 32 shots for Chicago, which has now suffered four losses in a row. Missing star center Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks struggled to capitalize on opportunities for most of the game.

A notable aspect of the match was the coaching strategies, as Montreal had two goals disallowed due to offside rulings, while Chicago lost a goal from goalie interference, reflecting the significant impact of bench decisions.

Lane Hutson also achieved a remarkable milestone by assisting Bolduc’s first goal, becoming the first defenseman in Canadiens history to record 60 assists within a calendar year. He logged 26:19 of ice time despite the absence of seasoned defenseman Mike Matheson.

Montreal dominated the shot count, outshooting Chicago 35-15, maintaining the upper hand throughout the game. Despite Nazar celebrating the end of a 21-game goal drought, the Blackhawks couldn't match the Canadiens' rhythm and precision.

The Canadiens' latest win showcased their teamwork and the rising influence of Bolduc in the lineup. As Hutson continues to break records and other key players rise to the challenge, Montreal is positioning itself as a formidable contender in this NHL season.

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