Jake Evans Overtime Goal Lifts Canadiens Past Golden Knights in Montreal

Montreal — In a breaking update Tuesday night, Jake Evans scored at 3:58 of overtime to lift the Montreal Canadiens to a 3 to 2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, a result that reshaped the latest timeline for both clubs as the playoff race tightens.

Evans finished a sustained shift in the offensive zone by snapping a shot past Akira Schmid, ending Montreal’s two game skid and giving the Canadiens a key home victory against a Western Conference contender. The overtime winner capped a disciplined performance that emphasized defensive structure and timely scoring.

Cole Caufield opened the scoring with his 30th goal of the season, extending the longest goal streak of his NHL career to six games. Caufield has now scored 9 goals during that stretch, continuing to solidify his role as Montreal’s primary offensive threat. Phillip Danault added the Canadiens’ second goal, while Mike Matheson recorded an assist to extend his season long point streak to five games.

In net, Jakub Dobes delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, stopping 32 shots in his first career start against Vegas. The 24 year old has now posted a 6 0 1 record over his last 7 appearances, with his most recent regulation loss dating back to December 9 against Tampa Bay. Dobes’ continued consistency has created important roster implications for Montreal as the club evaluates its long term goaltending outlook.

Vegas was led by Pavel Dorofeyev, who scored both Golden Knights goals, accounting for all of the team’s offense. Dorofeyev’s performance stood out on a night where Vegas struggled to generate secondary scoring. Schmid finished with 23 saves but fell to 0 2 against Montreal this season, as the Golden Knights lost their third straight game to the Canadiens dating back to last year.

The game also carried historical context for Vegas, as defenseman Noah Hanifin skated in his 800th career NHL game. At 29 years old, Hanifin became the first player from the 2015 draft class to reach the milestone, underscoring his durability and importance within the Golden Knights lineup.

From a season impact perspective, the win strengthens Montreal’s position during a demanding stretch of the schedule and reinforces the team’s improved defensive play under sustained pressure. For Vegas, the loss raises questions about offensive depth and consistency as the club navigates a challenging portion of its calendar.

What this means going forward is increased urgency for both teams. The Golden Knights will look to reset when they host the Dallas Stars on Thursday, while the Canadiens remain home to face the Colorado Avalanche as they aim to build momentum and climb the standings.