Suzuki Scores Twice in Canadiens’ Dominant Win Over Avalanche

Casey Halston

Published: January 29, 2026 10:49 PM ET

In a decisive victory, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Colorado Avalanche, showcasing a dominant performance at the Bell Centre. The game marked another strong outing for the Canadiens, who are gaining momentum in the current NHL season.

Suzuki Scores Twice in Canadiens’ Dominant Win Over Avalanche

Noah Dobson initiated the scoring for Montreal just 56 seconds into the match. This early goal set the tone for the Canadiens, who hold an impressive record of 18 wins against Western Conference opponents this season (30-17-7).

Key Goals and Player Performances

Midway through the second period, Jake Evans and Kirby Dach scored in rapid succession, just 40 seconds apart. This marked Evans’ second goal in as many games. Notably, for Dach, it was his first goal since returning from a 31-game absence due to injury.

The third period saw additional scoring from Alexandre Carrier and Juraj Slafkovsky, sealing the Canadiens’ victory. Jakub Dobes contributed significantly to the win, making 26 saves and improving his record to 7-0-1 in his last eight starts. This game also allowed Dobes to bounce back from a prior loss to the Avalanche on November 29.

Colorado Avalanche Struggles

On the Avalanche side, Brock Nelson, Joel Kiviranta, and Ross Colton accounted for their offense. Scott Wedgewood, starting for the first time since January 21, stopped 21 shots but suffered his second career loss against the Canadiens, having conceded 11 goals in these matchups.

Despite this defeat, Colorado (35-8-9) retains the top position in the NHL standings. However, the Avalanche have struggled recently, losing six of their last eight games (2-4-2).

Special Teams and Historical Significance

The Avalanche failed to take advantage of two power-play opportunities. This extends their streak to 15 consecutive missed chances dating back to January 19, making them the NHL’s worst team for short-handed goals allowed this season. Notably, they allowed a short-handed goal in this game, marking the ninth time this season they have done so.

This game also carried historical significance, as the Avalanche donned powder blue Quebec Nordiques jerseys in celebration of their team’s history before relocating to Denver in 1995.

Upcoming Matches

Montreal Canadiens: Scheduled to visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Colorado Avalanche: Set to face the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

As the season progresses, the Canadiens look to maintain their strong performance at home, bolstered by key contributions from players like Suzuki, Dobson, and Dach.