Miracle at the Garden: How the Boston Bruins Rallied Late to Stun the Canadiens 2026

The Boston Bruins proved their resilience with a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Featuring a 12-second scoring outburst and Morgan Geekie’s 100th goal, this game is a must-read for every hockey enthusiast.

There is simply nothing in professional sports that compares to the atmosphere of an Original Six showdown. On Saturday night at TD Garden, the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens added another legendary chapter to their storied rivalry. It was a game defined by shifting momentums, a spectacular hat trick, and a 12-second miracle that left the crowd breathless.

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens: Key Game Highlights

The Weight of an Original Six Rivalry

When the Boston Bruins step onto the ice against Montreal, the records almost don’t matter. You could feel the electricity in the building from the puck drop. Entering the game, Boston was the hotter team, having won seven of their previous eight matches. However, the Canadiens weren’t interested in following the script.

For the first two periods, it looked like a “Cole Caufield night.” The young Montreal sniper was everywhere, finding pockets of space and exploiting the few mistakes the Boston Bruins defense made. Every time Boston clawed their way back into the game, Caufield seemed to have an answer, scoring three times to give Montreal three separate one-goal leads. For a while, it felt like the Bruins were chasing a ghost.

The Power Play That Changed Everything

Special teams often decide close games, and Saturday was no exception. The Boston Bruins struggled at even strength for parts of the night, but their power play was a surgical instrument of destruction. Under the guidance of Charlie McAvoy, who orchestrated the offense with three primary assists, the Bruins went 3-for-5 on the man advantage.

Viktor Arvidsson ignited the comeback early in the second period, pouncing on his own rebound to tie the game at 1-1. Later, after Caufield put Montreal back in front, Morgan Geekie found the back of the net on another power play, set up beautifully by David Pastrnak. This efficiency on the power play kept the Boston Bruins within striking distance even when the momentum seemed to be slipping away.

12 Seconds of Pure Mayhem

The third period began with Montreal holding a narrow 3-2 lead. For nearly fourteen minutes, Sam Montembeault stood like a wall in the Canadiens’ net. But in the NHL, the game happens fast—and sometimes, it happens in the blink of an eye.

At the 13:55 mark, Fraser Minten—who had been a spark plug for the Boston Bruins all night—found himself in the slot. His initial shot attempt took a lucky bounce off a defenseman and came right back to him. Without hesitating, Minten fired a backhand that eluded Montembeault to tie the score at 3-3.

Before the announcer could even finish credited the goal, the Garden erupted again. Just 12 seconds later, at 14:07, Morgan Geekie stepped into a one-timer from the point. The puck screamed into the net, marking Geekie’s 100th career NHL goal and giving the Boston Bruins their first lead of the night. It was the fastest pair of goals the team has scored since 2022, and it completely broke the Canadiens’ spirit.

Morgan Geekie’s Historic Milestone

Reaching 100 goals in the NHL is a feat few players achieve, and doing it as a game-winner against your biggest rival is the stuff of dreams. Morgan Geekie has been a vital part of the Boston Bruins’ recent surge, providing the secondary scoring that every championship-caliber team needs.

His two-goal performance on Saturday was a microcosm of his season: hard work, perfect positioning, and a lethal shot. “To be able to come back in the third and put together a solid performance and get the two points, that’s all that matters,” Geekie remarked after the game. It’s that blue-collar mentality that has endeared him to the Boston faithful and made the Boston Bruins such a difficult team to beat in 2026.

Jeremy Swayman and the Defensive Stand

While the offense grabbed the headlines, the win wouldn’t have been possible without Jeremy Swayman. The Bruins’ netminder made 22 saves, many of them in high-danger situations during the final two minutes as Montreal pulled their goalie for an extra attacker.

The Boston Bruins defense, led by McAvoy and Brandon Carlo, clogged the shooting lanes and ensured that Montreal didn’t get a clean look at the net in the dying seconds. It was a “character win,” as Swayman put it—a victory earned through grit and a refusal to lose.

Conclusion

The Boston Bruins are officially one of the most dangerous teams in the league right now. Winning eight of their last nine games isn’t a fluke; it’s a result of a balanced roster that can win through high-octane offense or defensive lockdown. By overcoming a Cole Caufield hat trick and scoring two goals in the blink of an eye, the Boston Bruins sent a clear message to the rest of the Atlantic Division: they are never out of the fight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who scored the winning goal for the Boston Bruins?

Morgan Geekie scored the game-winning goal at the 14:07 mark of the third period. It was his second goal of the night and his 100th career NHL goal.

2. How many goals did the Boston Bruins score in the third period?

The Bruins scored two goals in the third period, coming just 12 seconds apart, to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 victory.

3. How did Cole Caufield perform for Montreal?

Cole Caufield was the standout for the Canadiens, scoring his second career hat trick. He gave Montreal three separate leads, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Boston Bruins’ rally.

4. What was the Bruins’ power-play record during the game?

The Boston Bruins were incredibly efficient on special teams, scoring three power-play goals on five opportunities.

5. How many assists did Charlie McAvoy have?

Charlie McAvoy finished the game with three assists, playing a crucial role in orchestrating the team’s power-play success.