MONTREAL — Nick Suzuki and Patrik Laine each contributed significantly to the Montreal Canadiens’ 4-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. Both players netted a goal and provided two assists, propelling their team to a decisive win.
Adding to Montreal’s scoreboard, Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson each found the back of the net, while Sam Montembeault delivered an impressive performance with 20 saves, marking his fourth shutout of the season and the fifth of his career.
On the opposite end, Frederik Andersen recorded 14 saves for the Hurricanes. Slafkovsky set the pace by scoring first at 8:05 in the opening period, redirecting a shot from the point. Laine extended the lead to 2-0 with a deflection just over two minutes before the end of the first period.
Montreal maintained a strong grip on the game by drawing four consecutive penalties against Carolina. Suzuki capitalized on the fourth opportunity, taking advantage of being left unmarked in the slot to deliver a wrist shot past Andersen’s glove midway through the second period. Hutson sealed the victory with another power-play goal during the third period, making it 4-0.
Key Takeaways
For the Hurricanes, their normally dynamic offense, featuring four potential 60-point players, fell flat. Despite several prolonged possessions, they failed to exploit any gaps in Montreal’s defense, which minimized Montembeault’s challenges.
Conversely, the Canadiens efficiently safeguarded their lead with solid goaltending and a 2-for-5 success rate on power plays, proving instrumental in securing their win.
Critical Moment
Carolina was granted a power play at the outset of the third period with a chance to revive their prospects, trailing by three goals. Despite the opportunity, they managed only a single shot on target and struck one post, allowing Montreal to extend their lead to four and effectively close out the contest.
Key Statistic
This victory reflects a notable achievement for the Canadiens, marking the first time in over a month that they have secured consecutive wins. Previously, their last back-to-back victories occurred against the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning on January 19 and 21.
Upcoming Games
Next on the schedule, the Hurricanes will host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, while the Canadiens prepare to face the San Jose Sharks at home.
