Quick strikes from Caufield and Anderson help Canadiens rally for 7-5 win over Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Cole Caufield and Josh Anderson scored 23 seconds apart in the second period, and the Montreal Canadiens erased a two-goal deficit in beating the Carolina Hurricanes 7-5 on Thursday night.

Sammy Blais had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens, who have a five-game point streak after winning for the third time in four games. Nick Suzuki, Oliver Kapanen, Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson also scored.

Alexander Texier added two assists and Jakub Dobes made 20 saves for Montreal.

Sebastian Aho had two goals and three assists to become the first Carolina player with more than three points in a game this season. Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers each added a goal and two assists. Alexander Nikishin had one goal and one assist, but the Hurricanes lost for the second time in their last six home games.

Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi stopped 16 shots but took his second regulation loss in 16 games. He was trying to match the franchise record of 13 consecutive games with at least one team point.

Suzuki, who scored the last two Montreal goals Tuesday at Florida, scored 3:12 into the game and the Canadiens went up 2-0 just 56 seconds later on Kapanen’s goal.

The Hurricanes had rapid-fire offense with goals from Ehlers, Aho and Svechnikov in a span of about four minutes. Carolina’s second power-play goal came from Nikishin only 54 seconds into the second period for a 4-2 lead.

When Blais scored at 5:01 of the second, the Canadiens had three goals on eight shots. Caufield and Anderson scored at 16:23 and 16:46, respectively, to regain the lead.

Slafkovsky gave Montreal a 6-4 cushion at 11:20 of the third. Aho’s second goal came with 3:02 remaining after Bussi was pulled for an extra skater. Hutson's empty-netter came with two minutes left.

Canadiens: Saturday at St. Louis.

Hurricanes: Saturday at home against Colorado.

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Montréal Canadiens' Adam Engstrom (42) looses control of the puck when approaching Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' William Carrier (28) has his shot blocked by the skate of Montréal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) to prevent a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Montréal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher (11) controls the puck behind Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Montréal Canadiens' Lane Hutson (48) controls the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Montréal Canadiens' Oliver Kapanen (91), Ivan Demidov, center, and Noah Dobson (53) celebrate a goal by Sammy Blais, not shown, against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kris Letang scored 58 seconds into overtime in his 1,200th NHL game and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on Thursday night.

Sidney Crosby had two goals an and assist to extend his point streak to five games, and Blake Lizotte also scored for the Penguins in their third straight win. Pittsburgh has four wins in its last five games following an eight-game losing streak.

Erik Karlsson had two assists to become the second active and 14th defenseman in NHL history to reach 900 points. Arturs Silovs stopped 24 shots for Pittsburgh.

James van Riemsdyk and Alex DeBrincat had power-play goals for the Red Wings, and Andrew Copp also scored. Cam Talbot made 27 saves for the Red Wings, who had won five of six.

Letang, who became the 40th defenseman in NHL history and third active to reach the 1,200-game milestone, scored the winner on a one-timer from the slot.

Letang got his 13th career overtime goal, tying him with Scott Niedermayer for second-most in NHL history among defenseman — trailing only Brent Burns (16). Letang also has 20 points this season, becoming the 15th defenseman with 18 or more 20-point seasons.

Lizotte briefly put Pittsburgh ahead 3-2 with 4:09 left in the third period, but DeBrincat tied it again 1:11 later with his power-play goal. Detroit finished 2 for 8 with the man advantage.

Crosby scored twice in the first 5:46 to stake the Penguins to an early 2-0 lead. Crosby scored his 127th game-opening goal, tying Gordie Howe for fourth-most in NHL history. It was also his 111th multi-goal game, passing Brendan Shanahan for 19th-place all-time.

Yegor Chinakhov made his debut for Pittsburgh after he was acquired from Columbus for Danton Heinen and two draft picks.

The Penguins and Red Wings play again on Saturday in Detroit.

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

Pittsburgh Penguins' Ben Kindel (81) can't control a loose puck in front of Detroit Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs (37) stops a shot by Detroit Red Wings' Alex Debrincat during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Detroit Red Wings' Andrew Copp (18) returns to the bench after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Bryan Rust (17) screens Detroit Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot as a shot by Sidney Crosby gets past him for a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby, left, celebrates his second goal of the first period with Rickard Rakell during an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)