MONTREAL – Nick Suzuki scored his second of the sport 29 seconds into additional time because the Montreal Canadiens got here again for a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers within the second sport of a home-and-home on Tuesday evening.
Suzuki, who scored the winner with a wraparound, additionally tied the sport with 8.4 seconds remaining in regulation to ship the Bell Centre right into a frenzy.
Josh Anderson additionally scored for Montreal (35-30-9) and Sam Montembeault stopped 25 photographs.
Lane Hutson earned three assists to pad that whole to 57 this season, passing Chris Chelios for second-most by a rookie defenceman in NHL historical past.
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Mackie Samoskevich and Niko Mikkola additionally scored for Florida (44-26-4), which was swept in 4 video games towards Montreal this season. The Canadiens additionally beat the Panthers 4-3 in Dawn, Fla., on Sunday.
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Vitek Vanecek made 18 saves. He has just one win in 11 begins since Nov. 30.
The Canadiens entered the sport holding the Jap Convention’s second wild-card spot.
The Panthers, in the meantime, moved two factors behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for prime spot within the Atlantic Division.
TAKEAWAYS
Canadiens: Began sturdy with a 9-5 edge in photographs throughout an brisk first interval however misplaced steam within the second. Suzuki’s third interval heroics saved the crew.
Panthers: Mikkola was showered with boos every time he touched the puck after one thing that transpired in Sunday’s sport. As the ultimate buzzer sounded, the six-foot-six defenceman fired a slapshot down the ice and almost struck Montreal’s David Savard, resulting in a scrum. On the harm entrance, Florida centre Nico Sturm exited within the first interval after colliding with teammate A.J. Greer.
KEY MOMENT
Amid the jeers, Mikkola’s centring cross deflected off Jake Evans’ stick and into Montreal’s internet at 10:37 of the primary interval. His sixth aim of the season tied the sport 1-1 and stifled Montreal’s early momentum.
KEY STAT
Hutson turned the tenth rookie NHL defenceman to succeed in 60 factors in a season. He’s additionally solely the third Canadiens blueliner in franchise historical past to tally 57 assists in a marketing campaign.
UP NEXT
Panthers: Go to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
Canadiens: Host the Boston Bruins on Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 1, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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