Caufield powers Canadiens to 3-1 victory over Panthers

MONTREAL (AP) — Cole Caufield scored his team-leading 33rd goal and added an assist to help the Montreal Canadiens beat the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Saturday night.

Patrik Laine and Christian Dvorak — with his 100th career goal — also scored for Montreal. Sam Montembeault made 21 saves, including a windmill glove stop on Carter Verhaeghe late.

Mackie Samoskevich scored for Florida, which lost for the second time in nine games. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 12 shots.

The Canadiens, who were coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to Seattle on Wednesday, remained within a point of being in playoff position with 71 points.

Laine opened the scoring with a power-play goal 5:15 into the game, ripping a wrist shot over Bobrovsky’s left shoulder for his 16th — and 13th with the man-advantage — in 36 games.

Alex Newhook appeared to make it 2-0 off a feed from Suzuki, but the goal was overturned after the Panthers challenged for goalie interference.

Caufield followed soon after with a goal at 15:56 of the first, before Samoskevich tied it in the second.

Dvorak deflected a point shot from David Savard to make it 3-1 at 8:11 of the third.

Canadiens: Montreal’s first line stayed hot, even though Nick Suzuki was held off the scoresheet. Caufield’s two points and Juraj Slafkovsky’s assist gave the top trio a combined 40 points in 10 games since Feb. 22.

Panthers: The defending Stanley Cup champions played their third consecutive game without Matthew Tkachuk (lower body), deadline acquisition Brad Marchand (upper body) and defenseman Aaron Ekblad (suspension).

After Dvorak made it 3-1, Canadiens fans started doing the wave and chanting “Olé, Olé, Olé” for 10 minutes — including during an entire TV timeout.

Lane Hutson became the fourth-fastest defenseman to get 50 NHL assists. The rookie did it in 68 games, behind only Larry Murphy (62), Mark Howe (65) and Stefan Persson (66). Hutson is also the second-fastest player in Canadiens history to reach the mark after Vincent Damphousse (66).

The Panthers visit the New York Islanders on Sunday, and the Canadiens host the Senators on Tuesday.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Florida Panthers' Mackie Samoskevich (25) scores on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) as Canadians' Jake Evans (71) looks on during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher (11) is upended by Florida Panthers' Nico Sturm (8) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) looks back as Montreal Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky (20) looks for the rebound in front of the net as Panthers' Gustav Forsling (42) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) defends as Montreal Canadiens' Lane Hutson (48) drives to the net against Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov (7) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) stops a shot by Florida Panthers' Seth Jones (3) as Canadiens' Mike Matheson (8) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) stops a shot by Montreal Canadiens' Kaiden Guhle (21) as Panthers' Seth Jones (3) tries to defend during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) keeps an eye on the puck as Florida Panthers' Anton Lundell (15) and Canadiens' David Savard (58) come in for the rebound during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Canadiens' Cole Caufield (13) skates in to celebrate a goal by teammate Patrik Laine (92) against the Florida Panthers during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Florida Panthers' Uvis Balinskis (26) checks Montreal Canadiens' Alexandre Carrier (45) into the boards during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault celebrates a win over the Florida Panthers with teammates Cole Caufield (13), Josh Anderson (17) and Brendan Gallagher (11) following third period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Auckland was the first major city to ring in 2026 with a fireworks display launched from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower, followed by a defiant celebration in Australia in the aftermath of its worst mass shooting.

South Pacific countries were the first to bid farewell to 2025. Clocks stuck midnight in Auckland 18 hours before the famous ball drop in New York’s Times Square. The five-minute display involved 3,500 fireworks.

Australia’s east coast welcomed 2026 two hours after New Zealand. In Sydney, the country's largest city, celebrations were held under the pall of Australia’s worst mass shooting in almost 30 years. Two gunmen targeted a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, killing 15 and wounding 40.

A heavy police presence monitored the thousands who thronged to the waterfront to watch a fireworks show centered on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Many officers openly carried rapid-fire rifles, a first for the annual event.

An hour before midnight, the massacre victims were commemorated with a minute of silence while images of a menorah were projected on the bridge pylons. The crowd was invited to show solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged Sydney residents not to stay away through fear, saying extremists would interpret smaller crowds at New Year’s Eve festivities as a victory.

“We have to show defiance in the face of this terrible crime and say that we’re not going to be cowered by this kind of terrorism,” he said.

In Indonesia, one of Australia’s nearest neighbors, cities scaled back festivities as a gesture of solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides that struck parts of Sumatra island a month ago, claiming more than 1,100 lives.

The capital, Jakarta, was not ringing in 2026 with its usual fanfare, choosing subdued celebrations with a program centered on prayers for victims, city Gov. Pramono Anung said last week.

Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin urged residents of one of Indonesia’s largest cities to forgo parties, calling for prayer and reflection. "Empathy and restraint are more meaningful than fireworks and crowds,” he said.

Concerts and fireworks on Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali were canceled and replaced with a cultural arts event featuring traditional dances.

Hong Kong, too, was ringing in 2026 without the usual spectacle in the sky over iconic Victoria Harbor, after a massive fire in November killed at least 161 people.

The facades of eight landmarks were turning into giant countdown clocks presenting a three-minute light show at midnight.

Many parts of Asia welcome the new year by observing age-old traditions.

In Japan, crowds were gathering at a Buddhist temple in Tokyo for a bell striking at midnight. In the South Korean capital, Seoul, a bell tolling and countdown ceremony were being held at the Bosingak Pavilion.

Tourists and Berliners alike marked the end of 2025 by enjoying snowfall, taking selfies and making snowmen in front of the German capital's cathedral and the iconic Brandenburg Gate. The Berlin TV Tower was nearly invisible thanks to the falling flakes and fog.

Greece and Cyprus were ringing in 2026 by turning down the volume, replacing traditional fireworks with low-noise pyrotechnics, light shows and drone displays in capital cities. Low-noise fireworks avoid the explosive bursts that generate the loud cracks of traditional displays.

Officials in the countries said the change is intended to make celebrations more welcoming for children and pets, particularly animals sensitive to loud noise.

Police in New York City will have additional anti-terrorism measures at the Times Square ball drop, with “mobile screening teams” in search of suspicious activity. It is not in response to a specific threat, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Zohran Mamdani will take office as mayor at the start of 2026. Two swearing-in ceremonies are planned, starting with a private ceremonial event around midnight in an old subway station.

Saaliq reported from New Delhi, India. Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.

The police stand guard during the 2026 Taipei New Year's Party celebration in front of the Taipei City Government Building in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

People gather to celebrate the New Year at the Zojoji Buddhist temple, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A Buddhist prays in front of lanterns on New Year's Eve at the Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Fireworks burst over the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the New Year celebrations in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Swimmers enter the water during the traditional Sylvester swim at lake Moossee in Moosseedorf, Switzerland, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Anthony Anex/Keystone via AP)

A child poses for a photo with a prosperity decoration to welcome 2026 Year of the Horse, following the Chinese zodiac at a shopping district on new year's eve, in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

A person walks by illuminated decorations on New Year's Eve in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Fireworks burst over the Sydney Harbour Bridge as New Year's celebrations begin in Sydney, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Fireworks burst over the Sydney Harbour Bridge as New Year's celebrations begin in Sydney, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora, hosts of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026," in New York at the New Year's Eve Times Square Ball on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

A vendor sells New Year's eve party goods at a market in downtown Lima, Peru, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Guadalupe Pardo)

A families pose for a photo with a prosperity decoration to welcome 2026 Year of the Horse, following the Chinese zodiac as people visit a shopping district on new year's eve, in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

A child poses for a photo with a prosperity decoration to welcome 2026 Year of the Horse, following the Chinese zodiac at a shopping district on new year's eve, in Beijing, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)