The Montreal Canadiens concluded their lengthy road journey on a spectacular high, securing a hard-fought 4-3 overtime victory against the Dallas Stars on Sunday afternoon. This crucial win, powered by a resilient performance from goaltender Samuel Montembeault and a clutch goal from rookie Lane Hutson, underscored the team's growing confidence as they solidify their playoff position.
Montembeault's Heroic Return Between the Pipes
Samuel Montembeault was undoubtedly the cornerstone of this triumph, turning away 24 shots to claim his second straight win since his return from a conditioning assignment with the AHL's Laval Rocket. His most pivotal moment arrived in overtime, where he spectacularly denied Wyatt Johnston on a breakaway, robbing the Stars forward of a potential hat-trick and keeping the Canadiens' hopes alive. This critical stop set the stage for the game-winning sequence moments later.
Montembeault's sharpness was evident throughout the contest. After conceding an early wraparound goal to Mavrik Bourque, he responded with a brilliant goal-line pad save on Bourque's very next opportunity. His acrobatic third-period stop on Sam Steel preserved a narrow lead at the time. Over his two games back, Montembeault has saved 52 of 57 shots against formidable opponents, firmly re-establishing trust with the coaching staff.
Offensive Firepower and Key Milestones
The Canadiens' attack delivered when it mattered most. Brendan Gallagher was credited with opening the score after an Alexandre Carrier point shot took multiple deflections. The productive second line continued its hot streak, with Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov combining to set up Oliver Kapanen for his 13th goal of the season.
Slafkovsky also found the net on the power play, notching his eighth power-play goal to give Montreal a 3-2 lead. Veteran centre Phil Danault played a key role, recording two assists to reach the prestigious 400 career points milestone. His work was not done, as he won the critical offensive-zone faceoff in overtime that directly led to the decisive play.
Clutch Finish and Playoff Implications
With the game tied after regulation, rookie defenseman Lane Hutson emerged as the hero, firing a glove-side shot past Stars goalie Jake Oettinger to end the contest. This goal capped off an impressive 4-1-2 record for the Canadiens on their challenging seven-game road trip.
The victory was made more impressive considering the Canadiens were playing the second game of a back-to-back against a well-rested Dallas squad. The two points further cement Montreal's standing as the second-place team in the Atlantic Division, trailing only the Tampa Bay Lightning. This performance sends a strong signal that the franchise is not just aiming for, but is fully poised to secure, a playoff berth as the season progresses.
