Montreal Canadiens' Alexandre Carrier (45) scores on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41) during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

MONTREAL — Nick Suzuki scored a power-play and short-handed goal to go along with an assist as the Montreal Canadiens earned a 7-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche Thursday night at the Bell Centre.

Noah Dobson opened the scoring just 56 seconds into the game for the Canadiens (30-17-7), as they improved their record to 18-6-0 against Western Conference opponents this season.

Jake Evans, with his second goal in as many games, and Kirby Dach found the back of the net 40 seconds apart for Montreal late in the second period.

For Dach, it was his first goal and first point since returning from a 31-game absence on Jan. 20.

Alexandre Carrier and Juraj Slafkovsky capped off the scoring for Montreal in the third period.

Jakub Dobes made 26 saves in the winning effort as he improved to 7-0-1 over his last eight starts. The Czech netminder avenged a 7-2 loss he suffered against the Avalanche on Nov. 29.

Brock Nelson, Joel Kiviranta and Ross Colton accounted for the Avalanche offence on the night.

Scott Wedgewood stopped 21 shots in his first start since Jan. 21. The Brampton, Ont., native has lost each of his two career starts against Montreal, allowing 11 total goals in the process.

Despite having now lost six of their past eight games (2-4-2), Colorado (35-8-9) remains atop the NHL standings.

The Avalanche were rebaptized as the “Colorado Nordiques” for the game. Colorado wore powder blue Quebec Nordiques jerseys in homage to the team’s former home of Quebec City, where they played from 1979 until their relocation to Denver in 1995.

TAKEAWAYS

Avalanche: Colorado failed to capitalize on either of its two power-play chances on Thursday. They have failed to score on each of their last 15 such opportunities, a stretch that dates back to Jan. 19.

Canadiens: Montreal continued its strong play at home of late. The Canadiens improved to 8-2-0 on Bell Centre ice since Dec. 18.

KEY MOMENT

Having just scored a power-play goal moments earlier, Suzuki added another, this time with his team down a man. Suzuki accepted a lob pass from Oliver Kapanen that sent the Montreal captain in on a breakaway. He made a move to his backhand, beating a sprawling Wedgewood to double the Canadiens' lead in the first period.

KEY STAT

Suzuki’s short-handed goal was the ninth such marker given up by Colorado this season. The Avalanche have allowed the most short-handed goals in the NHL this season, one more than the New York Rangers, who have given up eight.

UP NEXT

Avalanche: Visit the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

Canadiens: Visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 29, 2026.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2026