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Nick Suzuki propels the Habs to victory with two important goals at the end of the game
Michaël Petit
Nick Suzuki propels the Habs to victory with two important goals at the end of the game
Credit: During the last game (Sunday afternoon), it was a heated matchup between the Habs and the Florida Panthers. Both clubs had the opportunity to face each other for a fourth and last time this season, and it promised to be intense with what happened at the end of the game. Here is the lineup that […]
During the last game (Sunday afternoon), it was a heated matchup between the Habs and the Florida Panthers.

Both clubs had the opportunity to face each other for a fourth and last time this season, and it promised to be intense with what happened at the end of the game.

Here is the lineup that Martin St-Louis presented for this duel:

On the Panthers’ side, they gave the start to Vitek Vanecek, one of the worst goalies in the NHL statistically.

The game started strong with the Habs buzzing in the offensive zone.

We saw great chances in the first minute from Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson, and Lane Hutson.

It was finally Anderson who opened the scoring by redirecting Kaiden Guhle’s shot.

On the goal, Hutson (obviously) collected another assist, which brings his total to 55 assists this season.

He also tied the mark set by Chris Chelios for the most assists collected by a Habs defensemen in his rookie season.

The little defensemen’s dream season continues.

Unfortunately for the Tricolore, six minutes later, none other than Niko Mikkola, the unpopular player, created the tie.

In the first period, we noticed that Mikkola was often booed by the Bell Centre fans.

The fans also got to experience a special moment (and a pleasant one) when Gallagher seemed to have deliberately sent a puck directly at Mikkola.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, as the saying goes.

At the end of the first period, Quebecer A.J. Greer thought he had given the lead to his team, but after review, the goal was finally disallowed because he deliberately “kicked” the puck with his skate.

If the first period was in favor of the Sainte-Flanelle (except for the score, which was 1-1), the second period was dominated by the Panthers, who had 13 shots, compared to only seven for the Habs.

And at the end of the second period, what was expected to happen did… The Panthers took the lead in a powerplay thanks to a goal from Mackie Samoskevich.

After 40 minutes, the score was 2-1 in favor of the visitors.

Like the second period, the third period was in favor of the reigning champions.

When everyone thought the game was over, captain Nick Suzuki brought everyone back to the starting point with nine seconds left in regulation time.

Of course, Hutson had to collect a second assist in the game, his 56th assist and 61st point of the season.

Juraj Slafkovsky also collected an assist.

Heading to overtime:

The miracle scenario that all Habs fans hoped for finally materialized: the Tricolore won their fourth and last game against the reigning champions.

Who else but the captain to propel the Sainte-Flanelle to victory in overtime.

Lane Hutson collected his third point of the game, while Cole Caufield was credited with an assist as well.

 

Martin St-Louis’ team swept their series (in the season) against the Panthers, and it promises well for the playoffs. The Tricolore will be the underdog, but they can certainly cause a surprise.

The Habs’ next game will be on Thursday evening, when the Boston Bruins will visit the Canadiens.


Overtime

– The first line was heavily used by Martin St-Louis during this game. Suzuki, Caufield, and Slafkovsky were used for almost seven minutes each in the first period.

Nick Suzuki spent 23 minutes and 30 seconds on the ice. Lane Hutson was the most used player by MSL with over 26 minutes of ice time.

– Kaiden Guhle was everywhere in the game, especially during the first 20 minutes. But above all, he greatly disturbed the opponent by being at the center of the scrums, when there were any.

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