3 most impressive Montreal Canadiens players from 2-1 S/O win over Colorado Avalanche feat. Cole Caufield

The Montreal Canadiens entered Saturday night's contest in the Rocky Mountains against the Colorado Avalanche having won six of their last eight games. It was all said and done as they earned their seventh in their last nine.

They outlasted the Avalanche by a 2-1 final score via the shootout, improving their record to 18-18-3; meanwhile, the Avalanche fell to 24-15-1, their first setback beyond regulation.

In the opening 20 minutes of play, the only goal was scored by star forward Nathan MacKinnon, giving the host Avalanche the 1-0 lead.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the game's middle frame, setting up a tense third period. Just past the halfway point of the third period, the Habs knotted the score at 1-1 thanks to Cole Caufield, his 21st goal.

Neither team scored for the remainder of regulation or the subsequent five minute three-on-three overtime session, setting up the shootout.

Once again, it was Caufield lighting the lamp past goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood, while the Habs also got a goal from Kirby Dach to seal it.

23-year-old goaltender Jakub Dobes was strong in net, stopping every shot in the shootout along with 22 of the 23 shots he faced in regulation/overtime. Meanwhile, Blackwood also made 22 saves.

3 most impressive Montreal Canadiens players from 2-1 S/O win over Colorado Avalanche

#1. Cole Caufield

Truly emerging as one of the best players on the Canadiens, Caufield was greatly affected by the shocking death of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in late August, and he announced he would be switching his jersey number to No. 13 in honor of Johnny.

He's lived up to the memory of the Gaudreau brothers, tallying his 21st goal of the season to put Montreal onto the scoreboard. He also demonstrated his scoring prowess in the shootout.

#2. Jakub Dobes

The 23-year-old rookie goaltender was given the start by head coach Martin St. Louis against the high-powered offense of the Avalanche, and he responded with the poise of a seasoned veteran.

He turned aside all seven shots he faced from sniper Mikko Rantanen and also denied every Avalanche attempt in the shootout. In doing so, he made Canadiens franchise history by becoming the first goalie ever in a Habs uniform to allow just one goal in his first two NHL starts.

#3. Nick Suzuki

The captain of the Canadiens played a significant role in Montreal's tying goal, breaking in on a two-on-one rush with Caufield and sending a perfect pass to his teammate's tape for the first Habs goal of the night.