Cole Caufield helps rescue Canadiens OT win over Bruins

Cole Caufield’s goal with 22 seconds left in overtime propelled the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the visiting Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.

After Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson drove towards the net and dropped back a pass to Nick Suzuki, Caufield redirected a shot-pass into an open side of Boston goaltender Jeremy Swayman’s net.

Caufield and Suzuki each logged a goal and an assist, Josh Anderson also scored, and Jakub Dobes made 26 saves for Montreal, which had lost back-to-back games.

Pavel Zacha scored both goals for Boston, including one on the power play. Dobes also stopped Zacha’s break-in attempt at a hat trick marker in the final minute of the extra session.

Jeremy Swayman stopped 28 shots in Boston’s fifth game out of six decided beyond regulation (2-1-3).

Montreal had a 31-28 advantage in shots.

Swayman was dialed in early and made his first save against Anderson’s short-handed breakaway just 1:06 into the first. The same Boston power play resulted in Zacha’s game-opening goal at 2:22, as he was stationed in the slot to bang a David Pastrnak rebound past Dobes.

Montreal made a counterpunch at 10:31. After Pastrnak’s turnover near the blue line, Juraj Slafkovsky dished a feed down the crease to Suzuki, who slotted a backhand over Swayman’s blocker to tie the game.

Zacha scored his second goal of the game and career-high 22nd of the season, giving Boston the lead back at 5:41 of the middle period. The centerman redirected Viktor Arvidsson’s pass from the left side up and over Dobes.

The Canadiens drew even at 13:15. After collecting the puck off the right wall and carrying it across the top of the offensive zone, Lane Hutson triggered a shot that Anderson was able to tip in high on Swayman while being marked by Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

One of the best chances of a tightly played third period for either team came with just over 3:00 left, with Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke saving a possible Kaiden Guhle goal in the crease as Swayman was out of position.