The Montreal Canadiens turned a tight game into a five-goal surge Thursday night, beating the Utah Mammoth 5-3 at the Bell Centre on November 5, 2026.
Montreal trailed 1-0 after the opening period before scoring three times in the second and adding two more goals in the third to secure the comeback victory.
The win moved the Canadiens to 10-3-3 on the season, while Utah fell to 10-7-0.
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Montreal Canadiens answer after slow start
The Mammoth opened the scoring in the first period and carried the lead into the intermission, putting pressure on a Canadiens team coming off a difficult overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
Montreal responded almost immediately in the second period.
Alexandre Texier tied the game just 16 seconds into the frame, and Elias Pettersson scored four seconds later to give the Canadiens their first lead.
Mark Stone then extended Montreal’s advantage at 2:37 of the second period, turning a one-goal deficit into a 3-1 lead in barely three minutes.
Utah answered before the period ended, cutting the deficit to one and keeping the game within reach heading into the final 20 minutes.
The Canadiens added two more goals in the third period to restore control.
The Mammoth scored once late, but Montreal held on to complete the 5-3 victory.
Suzuki returns to Canadiens lineup
Nick Suzuki returned to action for Montreal after missing six games with an upper-body injury.
The Canadiens captain had been sidelined since October 20 and was cleared to play before puck drop.
Kirby Dach also returned to the lineup after missing Montreal’s previous two games, giving the Canadiens additional depth at centre.
Jakub Dobes started in goal for Montreal.
The Canadiens had announced his start earlier Thursday as part of their morning-skate updates.
Suzuki’s return came as the Canadiens began a stretch in which maintaining their early-season position in the Atlantic Division will become increasingly important.
Montreal entered the night with a 9-3-3 record and 21 points.
A high-event game at the Bell Centre
The scoreline reflected a fast-moving game between two teams that entered the night near the top of their divisions.
Utah arrived in Montreal with a 10-6-0 record and 20 points, while the Canadiens had earned points in several of their recent games.
Montreal’s five goals came after the team had been held to four in its previous two games combined.
The second-period burst was the decisive sequence, allowing the Canadiens to recover from their early deficit without needing overtime.
The Mammoth continued to pressure Montreal after falling behind, but the Canadiens maintained their advantage through the final period.
What comes next for Montreal
The victory gives Montreal another important home result and keeps the club near the top of the Atlantic Division standings.
The Canadiens and Mammoth will meet again on November 30 in Utah to complete their two-game regular-season series.
For Montreal, the immediate focus will be on building consistency around a lineup that is beginning to get key players back from injury.
Suzuki’s return was the most significant development of the night, while the comeback win provided a response after Tuesday’s late collapse against Winnipeg.
The Canadiens will also look to carry their second-period finishing ability into their next games.
Against Utah, a three-goal burst changed the direction of the contest and provided enough separation for Montreal to withstand the Mammoth’s late push.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between the Canadiens and Mammoth?
The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Utah Mammoth 5-3 at the Bell Centre on November 5, 2026.
How did Montreal beat Utah?
Montreal overcame a 1-0 deficit by scoring three times in the second period and adding two goals in the third.
Did Nick Suzuki play against the Mammoth?
Yes. Suzuki returned after missing six games with an upper-body injury.
What is the Canadiens’ record after the win?
Montreal improved to 10-3-3 following the victory.
When do the Canadiens and Mammoth play again?
The teams are scheduled to meet again on November 30, 2026, in Utah.
Fact-Checked: The November 5, 2026 game date and Thursday weekday were verified against official NHL and team schedule information. The official NHL status report identifies Suzuki’s injury as occurring on October 20, 2026, rather than October 22. ([nhl.com](https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/topic/game-day/uta-mtl-what-you-need-to-know-nov-5-2026?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: This game report reflects the official result available after the November 5, 2026 NHL game.