Bruins Fall to Canadiens in Second Consecutive Overtime Road Loss

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 17, 2026 10:19 PM ET

Bruins Fall to Canadiens in Second Consecutive Overtime Road Loss

Montreal edged Boston in overtime, handing the Bruins another road defeat in extra time. The Canadiens improved to 37-20-10 for 84 points. Boston fell to 37-23-8 and sits at 82 points.

Early fireworks and a four-minute power play

Just 25 seconds in, Alexandre Carrier high-sticked Tanner Jeannot. Jeannot was cut and the Bruins received a four-minute power play. The man advantage paid off on Boston’s second shift.

David Pastrnak sent a shot that caromed to Pavel Zacha. Zacha backhanded the puck past Jakub Dobes for his 21st goal of the season. It also was Zacha’s eighth power-play goal. Charlie McAvoy earned the secondary assist, extending his point streak to 10 games.

Canadiens rally in the first

Montreal dominated the final 16 minutes of the opening period. Jeremy Swayman stood tall, turning away several Grade-A chances.

The Canadiens tied the game at 10:31 when Nick Suzuki scored for the third straight contest. A loose puck off Andrew Peeke’s pass led Juraj Slafkovsky to feed Suzuki on the doorstep. Suzuki lifted a backhand over Swayman’s blocker.

Second period swings and another Bruins lead

Boston killed the carryover slashing penalty on Mason Lohrei and then pushed back. Zacha put the Bruins in front again after a sequence that began with Nikita Zadorov. Viktor Arvidsson moved the puck to Casey Mittelstadt, who directed a chance that Zacha shoveled home for his career-high 22nd goal.

Montreal answered later. Lane Hutson’s blue-line shot created traffic and Josh Anderson tipped the puck past Swayman to knot the score. The crowd reacted loudly, and the momentum stayed with the hosts.

Special teams and late regulation

Boston finished 1-for-5 on the power play and struggled to break through on entries. Montreal’s penalty killers were effective, including after Phillip Danault slashed away Zadorov’s stick.

Swayman finished with 28 saves. Dobes made 26 stops, including the overtime heroics.

Overtime and outcome

Pavel Zacha had a chance to win in overtime. He broke in alone but Jakub Dobes denied him on a breakaway. The stop sealed the Canadiens’ victory.

The Bruins’ fall to the Canadiens was their second straight overtime loss away from home. Fatigue after Monday night’s trip to New Jersey appeared to affect Boston.