Canadiens’ Zachary Bolduc finally breaks through at the Bell Centre

Montréal Canadiens' Zachary Bolduc (76) celebrates his goal during first period NHL action against the Chicago Blackhawks, in Montreal on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)

Zachary Bolduc imagined he’d score plenty of goals in front of friends and family when the Canadiens traded for him this summer.

What he probably didn’t envision was that it would take 19 games to bury his first at home.

Bolduc finally delivered his Bell Centre moment Thursday night, scoring twice in a 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

“It’s a privilege to play here,” said the 22-year-old from Trois-Rivières, Que. “I grew up as a fan, and I dreamt of playing for this team, and now I have the chance to play here. To score that first goal, it’s quite special.”

Bolduc cranked a one-timer from the slot off a Cole Caufield feed to tie the game at 14:23 in the first period with his eighth of the season, then let out a huge cheer and pumped his fists.

The crowd erupted as iconic public address announcer Michel Lacroix announced the goal, something he repeated just 20 seconds into the third period, when Bolduc deflected a Lane Hutson point shot into the net.

Bolduc and his blistering shot arrived in Montreal on July 1 with high expectations after a hot finish to his rookie season with the St. Louis Blues, with 13 goals in his last 24 regular-season games.

The Canadiens sent defence prospect Logan Mailloux to St. Louis in a one-for-one swap, acquiring a player many believe can develop into a top-six forward as the team progresses into a Stanley Cup contender.

The spotlight that comes with that, in a market where hockey is king, is something Bolduc embraces.

“I don’t have a hard time dealing with pressure or criticism,” he said. “They’re things that come with the Montreal market, and I think I’ve grown a little in that.

“I know how passionate people are in the highs and the lows, so I don’t see it negatively.”

Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki says Bolduc can thrive in that environment.

“He likes the attention, the big market,” he said. “Especially scoring at home, it definitely gave him a relief so I’m looking forward to more of that for him.”

Bolduc’s path to Thursday’s breakthrough, with his mom, dad, brother and close friend in the stands, hasn’t been straightforward.

He scored in each of his first three games — all on the road — but managed just one goal over his next 18 contests as coach Martin St. Louis shuffled him throughout the lineup in search of a spark.

“He’s coming from a different team, different teammates. You come in trying to get acclimated, you’re not sure what chair you’re going to sit in,” St. Louis said.

Lately, Bolduc has settled onto the top line alongside Suzuki and Caufield, a trio that found chemistry Thursday.

“I’ve seen a lot of growth since the beginning of the season, obviously coming into a new organization and a new system,” Suzuki said. “There’s a lot of learning curves and ups and downs, and he’s bounced around with different linemates, so that’s always challenging, but we’ve been able to find some chemistry together and I think he’s just growing as a player. It’s nice to see.”

Still searching

Owen Beck is still seeking his first NHL goal.

Just about everyone in the building believed the Canadiens centre had converted his first in 20 games to put Montreal up 4-1 — only for the goal to be awarded to Noah Dobson.

Beck jammed at the puck in the blue paint, leading to the goal, but replays appeared to show his stick pushing Spencer Knight’s glove, which knocked it in.

“I thought for sure I got in there,” the 21-year-old Beck said. “If they overturned it, I can live with it being my first, I just hope I get the puck that’s all.”

Beck also had a goal overturned after the play was ruled offside in last week’s win in Pittsburgh.

“I swear I watched him poke it,” Suzuki said. “Hopefully they get it right … Feel for the guy.”

Minor league Monty

Sam Montembeault, who entered the season as the Canadiens’ No. 1 netminder, allowed four goals on 24 shots for the Laval Rocket in a 5-2 road loss to the Cleveland Monsters.

The Canadiens sent Montembeault to their American Hockey League affiliate on a conditioning loan Tuesday amid a difficult season for the 29-year-old from Becancour, Que., who holds a 3.65 goals-against average and .857 save percentage.

Montembeault, who last started an NHL game Dec. 2, will rejoin the Canadiens on Sunday in Pittsburgh, St. Louis said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2025.