Canadiens Top Rangers 3-2, Caufield Hits 49 Goals

NEW YORK — Cole Caufield scored twice to reach 49 goals this season, powering the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night and extending their winning streak to seven games.

The win, played at Madison Square Garden, improved Montreal's standing in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race. Caufield's second goal, his 12th game-winner of the season and the most in the NHL, came 47 seconds after Will Cuylle tied the score for New York, restoring Montreal's lead at 2-1. The 23-year-old winger, who entered the game with 47 goals, now trails only Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead while boosting his career-high point total to 83.

Alex Newhook opened the scoring for the Canadiens 4:12 into the second period, beating Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin on Montreal's 12th shot of the game. Shesterkin, who finished with 22 saves, kept New York in contention early by turning aside several high-quality chances. Adam Fox later scored for the Rangers in the third period, but Montreal held on for the victory.

In net for the Canadiens, 21-year-old Jacob Fowler stopped 21 of 22 shots, including a key denial of Alexis Lafrenière on a...