The Montreal Canadiens looked to be cruising toward another win on Thursday night in Edmonton. Up 5-3 early in the third, they had the pace, the structure, and the crowd on mute. Then it all fell apart. A run of penalties opened the door for the Oilers, who struck twice on the power play before stealing a 6-5 win at Rogers Place.
A $62.8 million forward for the Canadiens, one of the team’s highest-paid players, voiced frustration after the game, questioning the officiating that many felt tilted the contest.
Did Referees Cost the Canadiens a Win Against the Edmonton Oilers?
The comments came from Cole Caufield, who had scored twice in the loss.
“The refs kind of took over the game there, and kudos to them for winning it,” Caufield said in his postgame interview.
“The refs kind of took over the game there and kudos to them for winning it.”
Cole Caufield on the officiating in Thursday night’s game. pic.twitter.com/VszNZqc5HY
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 24, 2025
The Canadiens had appeared in control after Alex Newhook’s second goal gave them a two-goal cushion just minutes into the third period. But penalties to Juraj Slafkovský, Mike Matheson, and Josh Anderson provided Edmonton repeated power-play opportunities.
Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins both converted on those chances, tying the game 5-5 before Vasily Podkolzin scored the winner with just over a minute remaining.
While the Oilers celebrated, several Canadiens players were left searching for explanations. Forward Brendan Gallagher told reporters that officials admitted to at least one incorrect call, a boarding penalty against Slafkovský that he said was later acknowledged as a mistake.
“I’m going to be honest with you, (it) started with Slaf’s penalty,” he said. “Talked to (the officials) after that one, they admitted it wasn’t a penalty, made a mistake.”
Asked Brendan Gallagher if he got an explanation for why Josh Anderson was penalized after Draisaitl’s goal. Here’s his response: pic.twitter.com/IHKrJe8Iit
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) October 24, 2025
“We were outplaying them, outshooting them, however they were getting more power plays than us. We feel like we deserved some, we didn’t get them, so fine, we’re battling, we’re playing,” Gallagher added.
The Canadiens finished with six penalties to Edmonton’s one, a disparity that left head coach Martin St. Louis measured but clearly disappointed. He noted that accountability applies to everyone on the ice.
“The Oilers won tonight, but they didn’t beat us. As coaches, we watch video and try to get better. I hope the league goes through the same process,” St. Louis said.
Despite the loss, Montreal’s play showed progress. The Canadiens outshot the Oilers for much of the night, maintained solid structure through two periods, and saw their top line dominate at even strength. Caufield’s two goals, scored less than a minute apart in the second, briefly put Montreal ahead, highlighting why the 24-year-old remains central to the team’s rebuild.
The defeat dropped the Canadiens to 6-3-0, still among the top teams in the Atlantic Division. Their next stop is Vancouver, where they’ll have a chance to reset before closing out the western road trip.
