Canadiens loss in Edmonton showed more growth than many of their wins

Montreal blew a 5-3 lead and lost 6-5 to Edmonton after two power-play goals and a controversial unsportsmanlike conduct call. Betting takeaway: expect market sympathy for Montreal — consider backing the Habs in puckline or 5-on-5 props at improved odds, but avoid Canadiens penalty-kill and Montembeault save-percentage props until those areas stabilize.

Canadiens furious as controversial calls swing 6-5 loss in Edmonton

Montreal watched a 5-3 lead evaporate on two straight Edmonton power-play goals, the tying tally coming after an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on Josh Anderson. Brendan Gallagher said officials admitted a mistake on the call involving Juraj Slafkovský and that the Anderson penalty felt like retaliation. Coach Martin St. Louis urged the league to review its processes while insisting the team must focus on improving the details that cost them the game.

Second-period decisions showed progress despite the outcome

The Canadiens have struggled in the second period all season, yet Thursday in Edmonton they displayed the kind of disciplined, simple play St. Louis wants. Rather than forcing risky plays, skilled forwards repeatedly chose the safe option — a tactical shift that produced sustained chances and momentum.

Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki: simple plays, big impact

Early in the second, Cole Caufield dumped the puck deep instead of forcing a play into the slot and chased it, allowing Montreal to sustain pressure. That decision paid off later as Caufield scored twice late in the period to give the Canadiens a lead, underlining the payoff for playing smart.

Ivan Demidov and Alex Newhook finish smart sequence

Early in the third, Ivan Demidov elected to send the puck deep at the Oilers' blue line rather than try to beat a defender one-on-one. Alex Newhook collected the puck and, after a series of composed passes, Oliver Kapanen set Newhook up in the slot for a goal that made it 5-3. Those sequences highlighted a more mature, situational approach.

Mike Matheson vs. Connor McDavid — a quiet defensive victory

Mike Matheson was tasked with slowing Connor McDavid and delivered a strong five-on-five performance. Matheson logged 11:46 matched against McDavid and the Canadiens outplayed the Oilers in those minutes, controlling expected goals and limiting high-danger chances. Matheson took two penalties in the game; the second, called for tripping, was debatable and led to an Oilers power-play goal that shifted momentum.

Juraj Slafkovský’s identity and the bad call that followed

Slafkovský finished with modest counting stats but made the physical plays expected of him. A neutral-zone puck battle saw him use size and strength to eliminate an opponent and create a turnover, yet he was penalized for boarding on the play — a call many viewed as incorrect. The episode reinforced Slafkovský’s role: keeping pucks alive, using power on the forecheck and creating space for teammates.

Special teams, goaltending and underlying numbers to watch

Montreal’s penalty kill allowed two goals and sits 19th in the league at 75.9 percent, a clear weakness when games hinge on power-play moments. Sam Montembeault is 2-3-0 with a 3.82 goals-against average and an .842 save percentage in five starts; among goalies with at least four starts, his save percentage ranks at the bottom. Still, five-on-five consistency and situational decision-making were clear positives in Edmonton.

Betting implications: where value may appear after the controversy

Oddsmakers often respond to high-profile controversial losses by adjusting public perception. Expect Montreal to receive some market sympathy, which can create value on the Canadiens in puckline or same-game parlay markets if odds overreact. Punters should be cautious on Canadiens PK and Montembeault save-percentage props until those metrics improve, and consider favoring Montreal 5-on-5 metrics or individual matchups (e.g., Matheson vs. elite forwards) for more reliable angles.

Conclusion — a frustrating loss that still offers a building block

The result stings, but Thursday’s game contained tangible signs of growth: smarter decision-making, stronger five-on-five play and meaningful contributions from under-the-radar players. If Montreal can address its penalty kill and get steadier goaltending, this performance could be a useful blueprint rather than a step backward.

From a five-on-five, a game management, and a consistency perspective, the Canadiens can look at a loss to the Oilers as a building block.

Theathleticuk