Caufield lifts Habs, Dobes wins goalie duel, and more: 3 reasons why Montreal Canadiens won 2-1 in SO over Colorado Avalanche

The Montreal Canadiens pulled out a gutsy 2-1 over the Colorado Avalanche in the shootout on Saturday night at Ball Arena. The Habs won four of six games on their road trip, capping off their most successful stretch of the season.

Cole Caufield scored in regulation for the Montreal Canadiens, with Caufield and Kirby Dach getting the tallies in the shootout. Mikko Rantanen replied for the Colorado Avalanche, notching a power play goal to open the scoring in the first period.

So, let’s take a look at the three key reasons why the Montreal Canadiens got a huge shootout win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night.

3 reasons why Montreal Canadiens won over Colorado Avalanche

#3 The Canadiens' penalty kill kept the Avalanche in check

The Montreal Canadiens’ penalty kill had a successful night despite giving up one power play tally. In total, the Habs’ penalty kill went 4-for-5 keeping the high-octane Colorado power play, which includes stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar.

While Rantanen scored in the first period, it would be the only goal the Avalanche could muster on a strong Canadiens team that seems to be playing a structured system, keeping top teams in check.

#2 Cole Caufield continues to lead the team offensively

Entering this season, the Montreal Canadiens had high expectations for Cole Caufield. Thus far, Caufield has not disappointed. Caufield scored his 21st of the season to tie the game in the third period.

The goal came on a pretty 2-on-1 that resulted in a bad Avalanche turnover in the Montreal zone. Caufield streaked down the ice with captain Nick Suzuki, who fed a nifty cross-ice pass to Caufield.

Caufield didn’t miss and tied the game on a goal that Colorado netminder MacKenzie Blackwood had no chance to stop.

Then, Caufield got the Canadiens’ first goal in the shootout, lifting the team past Colorado and notching two crucial points.

#1 Dobes outdueled Blackwood

Montreal Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes won his second game in as many starts. He got a shutout in his first game against the Florida Panthers on Dec. 28. Then, he turned in a brilliant performance on Saturday night, stopping 22 shots, plus making a tremendous save in overtime to preserve the tie.

Dobes stopped a breakaway by Artturi Lehkonen who had come out of the penalty box, turning away what could have been the winner for the Avalanche.

Then, Dobes stopped Rantanen and Jonathan Drouin in the shootout to earn the win for the Canadiens. The 23-year-old Czech netminder had looked terrific and could be poised to become a significant factor for Montreal moving forward.

The Habs will get Sunday off before facing the Vancouver Canucks at home on Monday night.