Canadiens Highlights: Kings Dominate Frustrated Habs

The Montreal Canadiens hosted the Los Angeles Kings at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night, aiming to build momentum with a second straight win and strengthen their position in the Atlantic Division. However, the evening quickly turned into a tough outing as the Kings earned a convincing 5–1 victory.

Game Summary

The Kings controlled the tempo from start to finish, while the Canadiens struggled to find consistency both offensively and defensively. Montreal’s frustrations showed early, especially during the opening period.

Controversial Officiating

Officiating played a notable part in the game’s story. In the first period, forward Kirby Dach was penalized twice under questionable circumstances.

His first penalty came on a tripping call, even though no opposing player appeared to fall.
Moments after serving that penalty, Dach received another for high-sticking, though replays indicated the puck—not his stick—struck Quinton Byfield.

Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis expressed confusion over the first call, mirroring the reaction of many in attendance.

“It was clearly the puck, not the stick, that hit Byfield. The referees essentially reacted to the player’s motion rather than the play itself.”

Outlook

Although the calls frustrated Montreal, the Kings’ dominance was undeniable. Los Angeles capitalized on their chances and exploited defensive lapses from the Canadiens, securing a well-deserved road win.

Author’s Summary

The Kings overpowered a frustrated Canadiens lineup in a 5–1 win that featured controversial penalties, exposing Montreal’s growing inconsistency despite recent promise.

Sportsnaut — 2025-11-12