Montreal, QC – In a dramatic conclusion to Chicago’s centennial season home opener, defenseman Kaiden Guhle scored with just 15.7 seconds remaining in regulation, propelling the Montreal Canadiens to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks on Saturday, October 12, 2025. The late-game heroics spoiled Chicago’s celebration and extended the Blackhawks’ winless streak to start the season.
A Tense Home Opener Unfolds
The atmosphere at the United Center was electric as the Chicago Blackhawks hosted their arch-rival Montreal Canadiens for their home opener. Despite a scoreless first period marred by numerous penalties from the Blackhawks, the game truly ignited in the second. The Canadiens, who received 10 power-play opportunities throughout the contest, managed to capitalize on two of them.
Cole Caufield opened the scoring for Montreal at 2:45 into the second period, batting a puck out of the air for his first goal of the season. Chicago responded swiftly, with rookie defenseman Sam Rinzel netting his first NHL goal less than two minutes later, tying the game at 1-1. The back-and-forth scoring continued as Zachary Bolduc, who has now scored in each of his first three games with the Canadiens, restored Montreal’s lead on a power-play rebound at 5:45 of the second period. The Blackhawks, however, found another equalizer midway through the period when Connor Bedard’s shot deflected off Sam Rinzel and into the net, making it 2-2. This marked Bedard’s second goal of the season.
Key Performances and Struggles
Nick Suzuki was instrumental for the Canadiens, notching three assists on the night, including the primary helper on Guhle’s game-winning goal. His playmaking ability has been a consistent strength for Montreal early in the season. Cole Caufield contributed a goal and an assist, with his tally coming on the power play, marking his first of the season. Zachary Bolduc continued his impressive start, scoring in his third consecutive game, a feat not achieved by a Canadiens player since Yanic Perreault in 2001-02.
For Chicago, Connor Bedard and Sam Rinzel provided the offensive spark with their goals. Frank Nazar and Teuvo Teravainen each contributed two assists, showcasing their offensive efforts despite the loss. Goaltenders Sam Montembeault for Montreal and Spencer Knight for Chicago were busy, with Montembeault making 20 saves and Knight turning aside 25 shots.
Blackhawks’ Discipline Issues and Season Start
The Chicago Blackhawks’ undisciplined play was a significant factor in the game’s outcome. They were whistled for 14 penalties, accumulating 39 penalty minutes, and surrendered 10 power-play chances to Montreal. This marked a season-high in penalties for the Blackhawks, highlighting a recurring issue as they navigate their centennial season. The team has now lost three consecutive games to start their season, all of which were decided by one goal and saw them tied after two periods. Their tough start to the 2025-26 season is a concerning trend for a team looking to build momentum.
Looking Ahead
The Montreal Canadiens, now with two wins in their first three games, head home for their official home opener on Tuesday, October 14, against the Seattle Kraken. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks will look to avoid an 0-4 start when they host the Utah Mammoth on Monday night. The News surrounding the Blackhawks’ early season struggles and the Canadiens’ promising start continues to be a significant topic in Sports discussions. This result adds another chapter to the storied Original Six rivalry, with the Canadiens ultimately prevailing in a hard-fought contest. The trend of close games for Chicago and timely scoring from Montreal sets the stage for intriguing future matchups.
