MONTREAL — In an exciting battle on Sunday night, Patrik Laine clinched the game for the Montreal Canadiens by scoring 3:20 into overtime, leading to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the New York Rangers.
Brendan Gallagher and Christian Dvorak both contributed with a goal and an assist, while Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky also found the back of the net for the Canadiens, who had been trailing 4-3 as they entered the third period. Goaltender Jakub Dobes made 23 saves, including several impressive stops leading up to Laine’s game-winner, elevating his career record to 5-0.
The Rangers saw contributions from Alexis Lafrenière, Will Cuylle, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider, with Adam Fox providing two assists. The loss interrupted a two-game winning streak for New York. Goalie Jonathan Quick, aiming for his 400th career win, made 33 saves but ultimately fell short.
During the early moments of the second period, Rangers’ Matt Rempe and Canadiens’ Arber Xhekaj squared off in a brief fight, igniting the competitive atmosphere on the ice.
Key Takeaways:
For the Rangers, this game extended their point streak to an impressive eight games, with a record of 5-0-3. On the other hand, the Canadiens demonstrated resilience, repeatedly responding to deficits—tying the score after falling behind four separate times.
Key Moment:
The pivotal moment came when Slafkovsky skillfully received a spectacular pass from linemate Cole Caufield before crashing into the net, equalizing the score at 4-4 with just 7:08 remaining in regulation time. This marked Slafkovsky’s second goal in three games, following a stretch of ten games without finding the net.
Key Stat:
Lane Hutson registered an assist on Slafkovsky’s goal, marking his remarkable eight-game point streak (one goal and 11 assists), thus setting a franchise record for rookie defensemen.
Looking Ahead:
The Rangers are scheduled to host Ottawa on Tuesday, kicking off a four-game homestand, while the Canadiens prepare to welcome Tampa Bay in an effort to wrap up a three-game homestand effectively.
