The CH loses again to the Ducks

Following a loss to the Sharks the previous night, the Canadiens hosted the young Anaheim Ducks at the Bell Centre.
Martin St-Louis put his trust in Jacob Fowler in goal for the Habs for his second start since being recalled. Brendan Gallagher also returned to the lineup, while Zachary Bolduc found himself in the stands.
It was also Arber Xhekaj's return, replacing Jayden Struble. Here is the Habs' lineup:

Tonight's lineup Tonight's lineup#GoHabsGo | @mtlgazette pic.twitter.com/gYrdGBSsFq
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) March 15, 2026
John Carlson was playing his first game in a Ducks uniform. Here is the Ducks' lineup:

Terry slots in next to Leo and John Carlson is paired up with Zelly.
Here's who we fly with. #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/nZ7uoRpo2I
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 15, 2026
In the first period, Leo Carlsson was the only scorer. He finished off a nice play set up by Troy Terry and Chris Kreider. 1-0 Anaheim.

Leo Excellent feeds from Terry and Kreider!
We lead 1-0! #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/icSHGpTuTa
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 15, 2026
Bad luck struck Kirby Dach once again. No. 77 returned to the locker room after this collision with Quebec native Jeffrey Viel.

Kirby Dach had to head back to the locker room after this collision with Jeffrey Viel pic.twitter.com/bE05t2i6fP — TVA Sports (@TVASports) March 15, 2026

In the second period, the Ducks came back strong. Leo Carlsson fired a precise shot that beat Jacob Fowler.

Leo X 2
He wired that one!#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/iT1Xbm19kP
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 16, 2026
Moments later, the Habs showed signs of life. Lane Hutson fed a great pass to Alex Newhook, who fired on the receive. The shot beat Lucas Dostal.

Get the ball rolling, Newy Get us started, Newy#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/M1R1tdE9CP
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) March 16, 2026
A minute later, the Habs added to their lead. Who else but Cole Caufield to tie the game? He fired a quick shot that beat the opposing goalie.

Cole-ossal goal A Cole-ossal goal#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/DGBZWMn65j
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) March 16, 2026
The Habs haven't let up. On a two-on-one rush with Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki decided to shoot, and it paid off. The Canadiens have finally taken the lead.

That's a grown man's assist That's a grown man's assist#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/me1TEM1Gpo
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) March 16, 2026
The Ducks aren't done yet. Troy Terry took advantage of a scramble in front of Fowler's net to tie the game.

Terry Have a NIGHT, Troy!
This game is tied! #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/KNtyBeP6N2 — Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 16, 2026
The score was 3-3 after 40 minutes of play.

In the final period, the Habs' defense looked shaky. Cutter Gauthier found himself alone in front of Fowler and beat him with a quick shot between the pads.

CUTTER We take the late lead!
What a play by Viel! #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/a1myTiLUsl — Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 16, 2026
Final score: 4-3 in favor of the Ducks The Canadiens will face their archrivals, the Boston Bruins, on Tuesday at the Bell Centre.

overtime – Juraj Slafkovský has been playing some great hockey for quite some time now. On Nick Suzuki's goal, Slaf recorded an assist, reaching the 100-assist milestone in the NHL.

With an assist on Nick Suzuki's goal, Juraj Slafkovský reaches the 100-assist mark in the NHL!#FlyTogether vs. #GoHabsGo on RDS pic.twitter.com/y7fmxSOBco — RDS (@RDSca) March 16, 2026
— Lane Hutson has continued to produce consistently since joining the NHL. With his assist on Newhook's goal, he ranks among the players with the most assists in their first 150 NHL games, just behind Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid.

Most assists in first 150 career games among active players
Sidney Crosby: 139
Connor McDavid: 120
Lane Hutson: 118 (NHL record for a defenseman)
— Guillaume Villemaire (@GVillemaire13) March 16, 2026
– Jacob Fowler had a tougher game. The young goaltender allowed 3 goals on the first 17 shots he faced. But he managed to bounce back as the game went on. Fowler finished the game with 4 goals allowed on 28 shots.
– Ivan Demidov had a great game, even though he didn't score any points.

Easily one of Demidov's top three games this season… and he didn't score a single point.
— Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) March 16, 2026