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MONTREAL – In a pivotal matchup, Kaiden Guhle scored two goals to propel the Montreal Canadiens into the playoffs with a vital 4-2 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes during their final regular-season game on Wednesday night.
Nick Suzuki contributed with a goal and an assist, while Jake Evans sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Goaltender Sam Montembeault made 28 saves, ensuring a successful outing for Montreal (40-31-11), which secured the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
This marks the Canadiens’ return to the playoffs for the first time since their run to the Stanley Cup final in 2021. They are set to face the Washington Capitals in the opening round.
For Carolina (47-29-5), which already had its playoff position confirmed, Taylor Hall and Tyson Jost were the scorers, although they rested several key players. Jost’s goal in the final moments generated tension at the Bell Centre, but Evans’ late strike ultimately secured Montreal’s victory. Goalie Pyotr Kochetkov recorded 16 saves in the matchup.
The Canadiens were under pressure to at least earn a point in this game to eliminate the Columbus Blue Jackets from playoff contention and clinch the second wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.
Having previously missed chances to secure the playoffs in the three games leading up to this, the Canadiens faced tough losses against the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs, alongside a shootout defeat to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The significance of this game went beyond the ice, as its high stakes even influenced the timing of a federal election campaign debate, which was rescheduled to avoid a conflict with the hockey game. Quebec Premier Francois Legault was among the many fans in attendance supporting the Canadiens.
Highlights from the Game
Noteworthy contributions came from Suzuki and Guhle, who scored just 2:26 apart late in the second period, flipping the scoreboard to a 3-1 lead for the Canadiens. Their goals were impressive, especially considering the Hurricanes had dominated much of the period, outshooting Montreal 14-5.
The Hurricanes opted to rest several of their regular players, such as Sebastian Aho, Jaccob Slavin, and others. In a unique twist, Skyler Brind’Amour made his NHL debut, marking a rare occasion where a player took to the ice under the guidance of his father as head coach.
Key Play
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Suzuki received a pass from Alexandre Carrier at the left circle. He skillfully placed the puck short-side past Kochetkov to break a 1-1 tie, eliciting a loud cheer from the home crowd. Guhle quickly followed this with a wrist shot that extended the Canadiens’ lead.
Notable Achievements
Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson notched his 60th assist during the game, tying the record set by Larry Murphy in the 1980-81 season for the most assists by a rookie defenseman in a single campaign.
Looking Ahead
For the Canadiens, the focus now shifts to their first-round series against the Washington Capitals. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes will wrap up their regular season with a visit to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
Source
globalnews.ca