‘Stupid penalties’: Canadiens vent frustration after blowing another two-goal lead

“Shoot ourselves in the foot,” Canadiens winger Cole Caufield said inside a dejected dressing room. “Really no need for any of those penalties. It’s on us. It’s our mistakes. We’re giving them opportunities to get back in the game, and it’s not very mature of us right now.”

Dobes made 26 saves after head coach Martin St. Louis turned to last season’s playoff hero despite Jacob Fowler backstopping Montreal to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Czech entered the night under pressure, having allowed five or more goals in each of his previous three starts and appearing to lose ground to 21-year-old Fowler on the organizational depth chart.

But Dobes wasn’t the only culprit Tuesday. Bruising defenceman Arber Xhekaj put San Jose on the power play in the third period when he dropped his gloves, and Sharks blueliner Michael Kesselring, kept his during a skirmish.

Both players were booked for roughing, but Xhekaj received an additional two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct. Tyler Toffoli capitalized on the ensuing power play, tying the game with 8:51 remaining in regulation.

“We were playing well, and stupid penalties,” Caufield said. “Things that we don’t need to do.”

Caufield added that he understood Dobes’ competitive nature and believed the goalie was trying to cut off Graf with a small pick, but he felt the play was unnecessary at that point in the game. Xhekaj, he said, should have known better.

“I don’t think anybody’s wanted to fight him on that team,” Caufield said.

“We’re giving the refs a little bit of an opportunity to raise their arm. And yeah, you do that to a group of guys like that that can make you pay.”

His linemate Juraj Slafkovsky didn’t single out any of his teammates despite being stunned by the loss after the Canadiens led 3-1 heading into the third period.

“I am not going to call anyone out or do anything like that. We are all part of the team. If someone makes a penalty, we try to help them out,” said Slafkovsky, who later added that he supports Dobes in everything he does. “He tries to help the team to gain a little advantage. It happens.”

From the visitors’ dressing room, Celebrini said he’d never seen a goalie take an interference penalty.

“But thankful that it happened,” he said with a not-so-subtle smirk.

The squandered lead continued a worrisome early-season trend for the Canadiens (4-3-2), who surrendered a two-goal advantage for the fourth time in 2026-27 despite controlling most of the five-on-five play.

The reigning Eastern Conference finalists only have one regulation win this season: a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on opening night.

“We’re finding a way to leave points on the table, and it’s our fault,” St. Louis said. “When you’re up two in the third, the way you’re playing, this game should be over. We need to understand the score of the game and what we need at that time and what we don’t need. Very simple.”

Asked for his view of Xhekaj’s penalty, St. Louis said, “I don’t know, they were together,” then shrugged.

The head coach had not spoken with Dobes, who didn’t talk to reporters post-game, and wasn’t prepared to make any proclamations on Montreal’s goaltending situation.

“I’m going to sleep on this one and reassess tomorrow,” St. Louis said.

The Canadiens lead the NHL with 5.30 penalties taken per 60 minutes.

“I don’t think it’s just tonight,” defenceman Alexandre Carrier said. “It’s come back to bite us tonight.”

SUPERSTAR STATUS

Celebrini continued to inflict damage on Montreal after recording seven points in two games against the Canadiens last season. The 20-year-old phenom received the full Bell Centre superstar treatment with loud boos in the second period, and justified the jeers in leading San Jose’s comeback.

“How could I not?” Celebrini said when asked if he’d heard the boos. “It was great. I’m just really happy we closed that one out … That was a first.”

WHEELS UP

The Canadiens begin a four-game road trip Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks before heading to Winnipeg’s Princess Auto Stadium to face the Jets in Sunday’s Heritage Classic. Montreal will then visit the St. Louis Blues next Tuesday and the Dallas Stars on Oct. 29 before returning home to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 31.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2026.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

‘Stupid penalties’: Canadiens vent frustration after blowing another two-goal lead

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