Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) races Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak (28) to the puck, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Kirby Dach scored twice and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Utah Hockey Club 5-3 on Tuesday night.
Mike Matheson, Patrik Laine and Cole Caufield also scored for Montreal, which has won eight of its last 10.
Lane Hutson added three assists for Montreal, and Alexandre Carrier had two. Sam Montembeault finished with 22 saves.
Logan Cooley, Josh Doan and Nick Bjugstad scored for Utah. Clayton Keller had two assists. Karel Vejmelka made 21 stops.
John Marino, who had back surgery in October, made his Utah debut after missing 42 games. Utah acquired him from New Jersey in June.
Montreal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovsky (20) and Utah Hockey Club center Kevin Stenlund (82) get into a scuffle, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
TAKEAWAYS
Canadiens: After a shaky start, allowing a 5-on-3 power-play goal at 2:11, Montreal went 1-for-6 on the power play.
Utah: Bjugstad’s goal with 54 seconds left in the first period ricocheted off Montembault’s back, but luck wasn’t enough for the win.
KEY MOMENT
Caulfield scored his team-leading 24th goal 6:33 into the third period, tipping in a shot from Hutson.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle (21) takes a shot as Utah Hockey Club defenseman Juuso Valimaki, left, defends, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
KEY STAT
After just three shots on goal in the first period, the Canadiens finished with a 26-25 advantage.
UP NEXT
Canadiens: Visit the Dallas Stars on Thursday.
UHC: Hosts the New York Rangers on Thursday.
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (14) skates as Utah Hockey Club defenseman John Marino defends, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki looks to pass, as Utah Hockey Club defenseman Mikhail Sergachev defends, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) and defenseman Alexandre Carrier (45) hug right wing Josh Anderson, center, after Anderson scored a goal, during the third period of an NHL hockey game against Utah Hockey Club, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)Utah Hockey Club left wing Lawson Crouse (67) skates with the puck as Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (71) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) races Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak (28) to the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)Utah Hockey Club center Alexander Kerfoot (15) gets ready to take a shot, as Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) defends, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj (72) looks on, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) wipes his face during a break in the action in the second period of an NHL hockey game against Utah Hockey ClubTuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)Montreal Canadiens right wings Josh Anderson (17) and Patrik Laine (92) react after Anderson scored a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against Utah Hockey Club, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)
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