Early Momentum Shifts the Game
The Montreal Canadiens seized control of the contest at the American Airlines Center on Thursday, October 29, 2026, securing a 5-2 victory over the host Dallas Stars. The turning point arrived in the first period, where the visitors outscored the home side 3-1 to establish a lead they would never relinquish.
Cole Caufield and Alex Newhook each tallied two goals, providing the offensive firepower that dismantled the Stars' defense before the second intermission.
First Period Dominance
Montreal struck first with a snap shot from Cole Caufield, assisted by Phillip Danault and Alexandre Carrier, to open the scoring. Wyatt Johnston responded for Dallas with a goal of his own, set up by Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen, to tie the game at 1-1. However, the Canadiens immediately reasserted their dominance.
Alex Newhook scored on a backhand shot, assisted by Noah Dobson and Lane Hutson, to put Montreal back in front. Caufield added his second goal of the night with another snap shot, assisted by Adam Engstrom and Juraj Slafkovský, to give the visitors a 3-1 lead entering the second period.
Second Period Extends Lead
The gap widened further in the middle frame. Newhook found the back of the net again with a backhand goal, assisted by Chris Kreider and Noah Dobson, extending Montreal’s advantage to 4-1. Dallas managed to pull one back late in the period when Jamie Benn scored on a wrist shot, assisted by Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston.
