Jan 21, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) passes the puck against Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (71) during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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Lightning vs. Canadiens: Jake Evans Winning Goal Seal 3-2 Victory for Montreal

Evans’ game-winner, Lane Hutson’s record-tying assist, and Montembeault’s stellar goaltending highlight Canadiens' victory over Lightning.

Jake Evans scored the game-winning goal with 2:15 left in regulation, rookie Lane Hutson tied an NHL record, and the Montreal Canadiens secured a 3-2 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.

The fourth line came through in the clutch as Joel Armia notched his 200th career point with a pass that Evans one-timed past goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (19 saves). It marked Evans’ second game-winning goal against Tampa Bay this season.

Hutson recorded an assist on Juraj Slafkovsky’s goal, giving the 20-year-old 12 assists during a nine-game streak. This tied Shayne Gostisbehere’s record (2015-16 Philadelphia Flyers) for the longest assist streak by a rookie defenseman in NHL history.

Jake Evans scores the game winner for the @CanadiensMTL with only 2:15 remaining! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/H32Eu2nQCT
— NHL (@NHL) January 22, 2025

Montreal’s Alex Newhook added a goal, while Patrik Laine tallied two assists in his 499th NHL game. Goalie Sam Montembeault made 33 saves for his career-best 17th win as the Canadiens continued their strong form, earning points in seven of their last nine games (7-1-1).

Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov extended his point streak to 10 games with a goal, the longest active streak in the league. Jake Guentzel also scored for the Lightning, who dropped to 3-8-0 against the Atlantic Division and suffered their second straight loss on a four-game road trip.

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The Lightning, coming off a 5-3 loss in Toronto the night before, struck first when Kaiden Guhle lost his footing on an entry flip. Kucherov capitalized on the loose puck, sliding it past Montembeault at 14:20 of the first period. Despite this, Montembeault and the Canadiens’ penalty kill preserved the one-goal deficit by denying power plays caused by infractions on Mike Matheson and Hutson.

Tampa Bay outshot Montreal 11-5 in the first period and doubled their lead early in the second. Michael Eyssimont’s hard work set up a wraparound pass into the slot, where Guentzel finished for an even-strength goal at 2:45.

Image Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Jake Evans

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

Anamika Shrivastava

nhl

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