Hockey fans, brace yourselves—this was no ordinary game! The Dallas Stars unleashed a storm on the Montreal Canadiens, cruising to a 7-0 victory that left everyone talking. But here's a twist: how does a team that started the season with six straight wins crumble so spectacularly? Let's dive into the details and uncover what really happened on the ice in Montreal.
In a commanding performance at the Bell Centre on Thursday, Jason Robertson lit up the scoreboard with two goals and a slick assist, while goaltender Casey DeSmith turned in a stellar 23 saves to secure his first shutout of the 2025-26 season—and the Stars' second overall. Dallas, now standing at 11-4-3, powered through with goals from Wyatt Johnston (celebrating his 100th career goal), Esa Lindell, Tyler Seguin, Colin Blackwell, and Alexander Petrovic, extending their winning streak to four games. Radek Faksa was a playmaker extraordinaire with three assists, and Mikko Rantanen chipped in two more to keep the momentum rolling.
For newcomers to the sport, a shutout simply means the opposing team didn't score a single goal, and it's a real testament to a goaltender's skill—think of it as pitching a perfect game in baseball. DeSmith's performance was rock-solid, and it highlighted Dallas's defensive prowess on the night.
On the other side, Montreal's starting goaltender Jakub Dobes struggled, allowing five goals on just 13 shots over the first two periods, marking his second straight defeat. The Canadiens, who began the year with an impressive six-game winning run and were atop the Atlantic Division heading into this matchup, saw Sam Montembeault come in during the third period. Unfortunately, he could only stop four out of six shots as the onslaught continued. Montreal finished with a 10-5-2 record, having dropped their second consecutive game and fourth in their last five outings.
The game started with Montreal holding their own in the first period, dominating possession for much of it. But the Stars struck first on a power play at 14:21, when Johnston capped off a brilliant tic-tac-toe sequence involving Roope Hintz and Rantanen to break the ice. For those unfamiliar, a power play is when one team has a player advantage due to a penalty, giving them a golden opportunity to score—it's like having extra players on the field in soccer.
Then came the explosion in the second period: even-strength goals from Lindell, Seguin, and Robertson (who netted a pair) propelled Dallas to a commanding 5-0 lead. And this is the part most people miss—the Stars didn't just score; they did it with flair. Later in the frame, Robertson banged in two goals in a lightning-fast 99 seconds, outsmarting Dobes with a backhand deke and then rifling a wrist shot through traffic as some fans began heading for the exits with just 3:11 left in the period. It's moments like these that remind us why hockey is so thrilling—pure speed, skill, and spectacle.
Now, let's talk takeaways to really break it down.
For the Stars, Robertson's double-dip in such quick succession showcased his scoring touch and how Dallas is clicking on all cylinders. Their dominance here shows a team that's firing on all pistons, and it's worth noting that this kind of performance builds confidence for a playoff push. Imagine a car revving up— that's the energy the Stars are channeling.
But here's where it gets controversial for the Canadiens: beyond the lopsided loss, forward Alex Newhook suffered what appeared to be a right-leg injury early in the second period. He crashed into the end boards feet-first after being tripped by Dallas defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, and he had to exit the game. Injuries like this can derail a team's momentum, especially for a promising player like Newhook. Some fans might argue it was just a tough play, while others could see it as a sign of rougher tactics—do you think Lyubushkin's check crossed the line, or was it fair game in the heat of battle? Montreal's early-season glow, built on those six wins, now faces questions about resilience. Is this a blip, or the start of a slide? It's debatable, and I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
A key moment that turned the tide occurred right after Newhook's injury: Robertson delivered a clever breakout pass behind Montreal's defenders, setting Seguin up for a breakaway to extend the lead to 3-0 at 7:10 in the second. For beginners, a breakaway is when a player skates in alone on the goalie—it's like a wide-open shot in basketball, and Seguin made the most of it.
In terms of stats that stand out, the Stars have now won seven straight games at the Bell Centre, a streak stretching back to October 30, 2018. That's dominance with a capital D, and it speaks to how they've mastered this venue over time. Montreal will need to regroup quickly.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens host the Boston Bruins on Saturday, a matchup that could be pivotal for their division standing. Meanwhile, the Stars welcome the Philadelphia Flyers that same day, aiming to keep their hot streak alive.
This recap, drawn from The Canadian Press, was originally published on November 13, 2025.
Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press
What do you think—will the Canadiens bounce back, or is this a wake-up call for bigger changes? And does Robertson's heroics make him a MVP candidate already? Share your opinions below; I'm curious to see what sparks debate!
