8th victory over the last 10 games for the Canadiens
In a thrilling Canadian rivalry, the Montreal Canadiens edged the Vancouver Canucks 5-4 in overtime at the Bell Centre on Monday night (6th).
Nick Suzuki’s decisive overtime goal sealed the Habs’ victory, bringing their record to eight wins in their last 10 games and surpassing the 50% win mark for the 2024-25 NHL season.
For the Canadiens, Cole Caufield scored in his fourth consecutive game, Lane Hutson recorded three points, and Sam Montembeault contributed with 16 saves.
On the Canucks’ side, Quinn Hughes returned after missing four games due to injury and marked his 400th NHL game with two assists. Additionally, J.T. Miller delivered an impressive four-point game, while Kevin Lankinen made 19 saves.
The action started early as the Canadiens took the lead in the first minute when Caufield fired a wrist shot past Lankinen, making it 1-0. The Canucks responded midway through the period with a quick goal from Miller, who converted a precise pass from Nils Höglander to tie the game at 1-1.
Vancouver gained the upper hand early in the second period. Jonathan Lekkerimäki, a 2022 first-round pick, capitalized on a loose puck to set up Miller for his second goal, giving the Canucks a 2-1 lead. Just 20 seconds later, Lekkerimäki scored his second goal of the season, extending Vancouver’s advantage to 3-1.
Montembeault kept the Canadiens in the game with crucial saves, and Kaiden Guhle reignited hope by blasting a shot from the right side past Lankinen, narrowing the deficit to 3-2 before the second period ended.
The Bell Centre erupted early in the third period as Kirby Dach scored on a power play, poking a rebound through Lankinen’s legs to tie the game at 3-3. Six minutes later, Lane Hutson’s hard work paid off when his pass deflected off Quinn Hughes’ skate and into the net, putting the Canadiens ahead 4-3.
The Canucks quickly responded on their own power play. J.T. Miller faked a shot and passed to Jake DeBrusk, who fired into an open net, leveling the score at 4-4.
The remainder of the period saw missed opportunities on both sides, with stellar saves from Lankinen and Montembeault sending the game to overtime.
With 35 seconds left in regulation, Nils Höglander’s interference on Jake Evans gave the Canadiens a late power play. Starting overtime with a 4-on-3 advantage, Montreal capitalized just 48 seconds in when Hutson set up Suzuki, who fired a one-timer past Lankinen to clinch the 5-4 victory.
The Canadiens now hold 41 points and occupy the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Canucks, with 45 points, remain in the second wild-card position in the West.
Looking ahead, Vancouver continues their road trip on Wednesday (8th) against the Washington Capitals, who will also face Montreal on Friday (10th).
Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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