COL@MTL: Game recap

MONTREAL – With the Avalanche visiting in their throwback Nordiques jerseys, the Canadiens gave a vintage performance worthy of the Battle of Quebec, beating Colorado 7-3 at the Bell Centre on Thursday night.

The Habs also celebrated the upcoming Lunar New Year at the game, with performances by the Montreal Chan Lion Dance Club, a red envelope distribution, and more to ring in the Year of the Fire Horse.

Back on the ice, the Canadiens scored early and often in a contest that was at times rough and tumble, but was also a showcase of a young and exciting Montreal team avenging its 7-2 loss in Denver back in November with speed and skill against a powerhouse Colorado team that has sat atop the NHL standings throughout the season.

Captain Nick Suzuki led the way with a two-goal, three-point effort that propelled him past the 60-point plateau in just his 54th game of the season. Kirby Dach picked up his first points since returning from injury, notching a goal and an assist, and was, along with Suzuki, among seven Montreal skaters to enjoy a multi-point night.

Goaltender Jakub Dobes glittered in goal, turning aside 26 of 29 Nordiques shots with some jaw-dropping saves for a hard-earned 17th win of the season.

For more stats, check out the NHL’s Gamecenter summary here.

Roster

Montreal goals

P1 00:56 0-[1] Dobson (Hutson, Slafkovsky)

P1 05:51 1-[2] Suzuki (Demidov, Hutson) – PPG

P1 07:33 1-[3] Suzuki (Kapanen, Matheson) – SHG

P2 16:36 1-[4] Evans (Guhle, Bolduc)

P2 17:16 1-[5] Dach (Bolduc)

P3 05:45 3-[6] Carrier (Suzuki, Dach)

P3 09:55 3-[7] Slafkovsky (Kapanen, Demidov)

Colorado goals

P1 04:09 [1]-1 Nelson (Manson, Girard) 

P2 18:06 [2]-5 Kiviranta (Malinski, Drury) 

P3 04:38 [3]-5 Colton (Nichushkin) 

What’s next

Montreal heads to Buffalo for a matchup with the Sabres on Saturday as part of a three-game road trip leading to the Olympic break.