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MONTREAL – In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, the Montreal Canadiens pulled off a stunning 3-2 overtime victory against the Florida Panthers, with Nick Suzuki netting his second goal just 29 seconds into the extra period. Suzuki’s wraparound strike not only secured the win but also marked a dramatic finish, as he previously tied the game with a goal 8.4 seconds before regulation ended, igniting excitement in the Bell Centre.
Montreal’s performance was bolstered by Josh Anderson’s contribution and solid goaltending from Sam Montembeault, who stopped 25 shots throughout the game. Notably, rookie defenceman Lane Hutson had an impressive night, assisting on three goals to increase his season total to 57. This achievement allowed him to surpass Chris Chelios, making him the second-highest rookie defenceman in NHL history for assists in a single season.
On the opposing side, Florida’s efforts came from Mackie Samoskevich and Niko Mikkola, but the team struggled against Montreal, suffering a complete sweep in their four matchups this season. The Panthers had faced the Canadiens just two days prior, where they also fell short, losing 4-3 in Florida.
Goalkeeper Vitek Vanecek faced 21 shots in this match, and despite his efforts, his win-loss record remains troubling with only one victory in his last 11 starts since late November. The Canadiens currently occupy the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card position, while Florida sits just two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs, contending for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Key Insights
The Canadiens began on a strong note, outshooting Florida 9-5 in a vibrant first period, but they faced challenges as the game progressed. It was Suzuki’s heroics in the third period that reignited their hopes and ultimately led to victory.
The Panthers’ Mikkola was met with jeers from the crowd every time he touched the puck, a response linked to his controversial play in a previous encounter that nearly led to a physical confrontation on the ice. Additionally, the team’s depth took a hit as center Nico Sturm exited early in the first period due to an injury from a collision with teammate A.J. Greer.
In a pivotal moment of the game, Mikkola managed to tie the score in the first period despite being the target of booing, redirecting Jake Evans’ stick to score his sixth goal of the season and shift the game’s momentum away from Montreal.
Statistical Highlights
With his 57 assists this season, Hutson has made history as only the tenth rookie defenceman to reach the 60-point milestone, joining an elite group of players and becoming just the third defenceman in the Canadiens’ storied franchise to achieve such a feat.
What’s Next?
The Panthers are set to visit the Toronto Maple Leafs for their next challenge on Wednesday, while the Canadiens will host the Boston Bruins on Thursday, eager to build on their recent success.
Source
globalnews.ca