McMichael scores in overtime as Capitals beat Canadiens 3-2

Montreal Canadiens goalkeeper Samuel Montembeault (35) stops a shot from Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Out of gas, the Montreal Canadiens still managed to pull out a point against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena.

Connor McMichael scored in overtime as Montreal fell 3-2.

The Canadiens had beaten the Vancouver Canucks 6-3 Monday night at the Bell Centre before flying to Washington.

After two strong periods Tuesday, they couldn’t withstand the Capitals’ push in the third. Washington erased a two-goal deficit to force overtime.

McMichael ended it with 37.6 seconds left in the extra period. He pounced on a rebound after Samuel Montembeault stopped a Dylan Strome shot.

Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher scored for the Canadiens (26-14-7). Montembeault made 40 saves.

Ethen Frank scored both Capitals goals (24-17-6) in regulation. Rasmus Sandin had three assists and Logan Thompson stopped 24 shots.

Anderson and Jayden Struble returned to the Canadiens’ lineup. Anderson had missed the past six games with an upper-body injury. Owen Beck and Kaiden Guhle (rest) came out to make room.

The Canadiens visit the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.

Close calls early

Alexandre Texier nearly opened the scoring early when his close-range shot hit the post.

Moments later, on a Canadiens power play, Juraj Slafkovsky also hit the post on a rebound after Texier’s initial shot.

Montreal finally scored shorthanded at 8:14 of the first. Anderson led a two-on-one rush and elected to shoot, beating Thompson on the blocker side.

Montembeault stood tall twice late in the period. He robbed Strome after Mike Matheson lost the puck, then stopped Alex Ovechkin following a turnover by Oliver Kapanen.

Thompson responded early in the second. He stopped Cole Caufield’s first shot, then stretched out his right pad to deny Texier on a wide-open chance seconds later.

Montreal doubled its lead at 7:40. Zachary Bolduc won a puck battle behind the Capitals’ net, Phillip Danault fed Gallagher in the circle, and Gallagher beat Thompson on the glove side.

Gallagher tied Mats Naslund for 14th in Canadiens history with 243 goals in a Montreal jersey.

The Capitals pressed in the third as the Canadiens tried to hang on to their two-goal lead.

Frank cut the deficit at 5:06, tipping in a Matt Roy shot with no chance for Montembeault.

Montembeault redeemed himself on a Capitals power play, sticking out his right leg to stop Brett Leason on a one-timer after a cross-ice pass from Sonny Milano.

But Frank struck again with 1:54 left, tipping in a Sandin pass to the slot. The Capitals had just pulled Thompson for an extra attacker.

Washington controlled most of overtime, firing a barrage of shots during a power play. Once back at even strength, McMichael played hero.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 13, 2026.