Bruins fall to Canadiens in overtime again as Caufield’s winner caps 3-2 rivalry game

Montreal’s overtime strike sends Boston to a second straight extra-time loss

The Boston Bruins dropped their second consecutive overtime decision on Tuesday night, falling 3-2 to the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on March 17, 2026. Cole Caufield ended the game at 4:38 of overtime, finishing a sequence set up by Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson.

The loss followed Boston’s 4-3 overtime defeat at New Jersey on Monday, extending a brief run in which the Bruins have earned points but fallen short in the extra session. After Tuesday’s result, Boston stood at 37-23-8, while Montreal improved to 37-20-10.

How the scoring unfolded

Boston opened the scoring early on a power play. Pavel Zacha made it 1-0 at 2:22 of the first period, with David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy registering the assists. Montreal responded at 10:31 when Suzuki tied the game 1-1, assisted by Juraj Slafkovsky and Caufield.

Zacha put Boston back in front at 5:41 of the second period, converting again to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. Montreal answered later in the period when Josh Anderson scored at 13:15 to make it 2-2, with Hutson and Brendan Gallagher credited with assists.

Neither team scored in the third period, sending the rivalry matchup to overtime. Caufield’s winner was his 40th goal of the season.

Game context and key numbers

The teams were tightly matched throughout. Montreal finished with a 31-28 edge in shots, while Boston led 32-26 in hits. Faceoffs tilted slightly toward the Canadiens (52.8% to 47.2%). Montreal was assessed more penalty minutes (8) than Boston (2), and Boston’s lone power-play goal proved central to how the Bruins built their lead.

In goal, Jakub Dobes stopped 26 shots for Montreal, while Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman faced 31 shots. Caufield, Dobes, and Anderson were recognized as the game’s three stars.

Where it leaves the season series and standings

The result brought the clubs even in their 2025-26 regular-season series, tied 2-2. In the Atlantic Division standings at the time of the game, Montreal held 84 points and Boston had 82, underscoring the playoff-race implications of a single extra-time finish between longtime rivals.

• Final score: Canadiens 3, Bruins 2 (OT)
• Decisive goal: Caufield at 4:38 of overtime
• Boston goals: Zacha (power play, even strength)
• Montreal goals: Suzuki, Anderson, Caufield

Boston earned one point in Montreal but left with its second straight overtime loss, as the game’s final swing came on Caufield’s 40th of the season.